U.S. patent application number 17/730055 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-11 for iot device risk assessment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Palo Alto Networks, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gong Cheng, Mayuresh Ektare, Mei Wang.
Application Number | 20220253535 17/730055 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220253535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Gong ; et
al. |
August 11, 2022 |
IOT DEVICE RISK ASSESSMENT
Abstract
A first device governs operation of a second device based on a
network security risk posed by the second device. The second device
is disposed locally to the first device and in local network
communication with the first device. The first device is in network
communication with a cloud-based computational service.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Gong; (Sunnyvale,
CA) ; Ektare; Mayuresh; (Santa Clara, CA) ;
Wang; Mei; (Saratoga, CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
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Appl. No.: |
17/730055 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
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Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17342950 |
Jun 9, 2021 |
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17730055 |
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16538787 |
Aug 12, 2019 |
11087005 |
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17342950 |
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15357989 |
Nov 21, 2016 |
10380348 |
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16538787 |
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International
Class: |
G06F 21/57 20060101
G06F021/57; H04L 9/40 20060101 H04L009/40 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method for a first device to govern
operation of a second device based on a network security risk posed
by the second device, the second device disposed locally to the
first device and in local network communication with the first
device, the first s device being in network communication with a
cloud-based computational service, the method comprising:
collecting, over a local network, first information about the
second device using the first device; communicating second
information based on the collected first information about the
second device to and from a cloud-based computational service,
wherein the cloud-based computational service performs at least a
portion of a risk assessment analysis of the second device based on
packets sent or received from the second device, at least two
weighted risk assessment factors, and the contents of an event log
management system; and deciding permissions of the second device
based on the risk assessment analysis, said is permissions
governing the permissible destinations for packets sent from the
second device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the packets sent or received from
the second device are inspected to identify the source and
destination of each packet.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the event log management system
stores records of events occurring at the second device, the time
at which each event occurred, and the source and destination of
packets related to each event.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting packets
sent or received from the second device for deep packet inspection;
and performing deep packet inspection on the selected packets to
identify transaction data, wherein the transaction data includes
the type and purpose of data transmitted in each selected
packet.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the risk assessment
factors is a vulnerability of the second device.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vulnerability of the second
device is determined based on one or more of: a response of the
second device to a simulated attack, data traffic forced from the
second device, and records related to the second device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein weights are assigned to the risk
assessment factors based on network characteristics related to the
second device.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein weights are assigned to the risk
assessment factors with varying granularity, including for the
second device, the type of the second device, or the network on
which the second device operates.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the permissions given to the
second device based on the risk assessment analysis are enforced by
a local network appliance.
10. A system for a first device to govern operation of a second
device based on a network security risk posed by the second device,
the second device disposed locally to the first device and in local
network communication with the first device, the first device being
in network communication with a cloud-based computation service,
comprising: is a processor configured to: collect, over a local
network, first information about the second device using the first
device; communicate second information based on the collected first
information about the second device to and from a cloud-based
computational service, wherein the cloud-based computational
service performs at least a portion of a risk assessment analysis
of the second device based on packets sent or received from the
second device, at least two weighted risk assessment factors, and
the contents of an event log management system; and decide
permissions of the second device based on the risk assessment
analysis, said permissions governing the permissible destinations
for packets sent from the second device; and a memory coupled to
the processor and configured to provide the processor with
instructions.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the packets sent or received
from the second device are inspected to identify the source and
destination of each packet.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the event log management system
stores records of events occurring at the second device, the time
at which each event occurred, and the source and destination of
packets related to each event.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further
configured to: select packets sent or received from the second
device for deep packet inspection; and perform deep packet
inspection on the selected packets to identify transaction data,
wherein the transaction data includes the type and purpose of data
transmitted in each selected packet.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein one of the risk assessment
factors is a vulnerability of the second device.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vulnerability of the second
device is determined based on one or more of: a response of the
second device to a simulated attack, data traffic is forced from
the second device, and records related to the second device.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein weights are assigned to the
risk assessment factors based on network characteristics related to
the second device.
17. The system of claim 10, wherein weights are assigned to the
risk assessment factors with varying granularity, including for the
second device, the type of the second device, or the network on
which the second device operates.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein the permissions given to the
second device based on the risk assessment analysis are enforced by
a local network appliance.
19. A system for a first device to govern operation of a second
device based on a network security risk posed by the second device,
the second device disposed locally to the first device and in local
network communication with the first device, the first device being
in network communication with a cloud-based computation service,
comprising: a data flow management engine configured to: collect,
over a local network, first information about the second device
using the first device; and communicate second information based on
the collected first information about the second device to and from
a cloud-based computational service, wherein the cloud-based
computational service performs at least a portion of a risk
assessment analysis of the second device based on packets sent or
received from the second device, at least two weighted risk
assessment factors, and the contents of an event log management
system; and a risk factor analysis engine configured to decide
permissions of the second device based on the risk assessment
analysis, said permissions governing the permissible destinations
for packets sent from the second device.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the packets sent or received
from the second device are inspected to identify the source and
destination of each packet.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein the event log management system
stores records of is events occurring at the second device, the
time at which each event occurred, and the source and destination
of packets related to each event.
22. The system of claim 19, further comprising a packet inspector
engine configured to: select packets sent or received from the
second device for deep packet inspection; and perform deep packet
inspection on the selected packets to identify transaction data,
wherein the transaction data includes the type and purpose of data
transmitted in each selected packet.
23. The system of claim 19, wherein one of the risk assessment
factors is a vulnerability of the second device.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the vulnerability of the second
device is determined based on one or more of: a response of the
second device to a simulated attack, data traffic forced from the
second device, and records related to the second device.
25. The system of claim 19, wherein weights are assigned to the
risk assessment factors based on network characteristics related to
the second device.
26. The system of claim 19, wherein weights are assigned to the
risk assessment factors with varying granularity, including for the
second device, the type of the second device, or the network on
which the second device operates.
27. The system of claim 19, wherein the permissions given to the
second device based on the s risk assessment analysis are enforced
by a local network appliance.
28. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory
computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for a
first device to govern operation of a second device based on a
network security risk posed by the second device, the second device
disposed locally to the first device and in local network
communication with the first device, the first device being in
network communication with a cloud-based computation service, the
instructions comprising: collecting, over a local network, first
information about the second device using the first device;
communicating second information based on the collected first
information about the is second device to and from a cloud-based
computational service, wherein the cloud-based computational
service performs at least a portion of a risk assessment analysis
of the second device based on packets sent or received from the
second device, at least two weighted risk assessment factors, and
the contents of an event log management system; and deciding
permissions of the second device based on the risk assessment
analysis, said permissions governing the permissible destinations
for packets sent from the second device.
29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the packets
sent or received from the second device are inspected to identify
the source and destination of each packet.
30. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the event log
management system stores records of events occurring at the second
device, the time at which each event occurred, and the source and
destination of packets related to each event.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/342,950, filed Jun. 9, 2021 and entitled
IOT DEVICE RISK ASSESSMENT, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/538,787, filed Aug. 12, 2019 and entitled
IOT DEVICE RISK ASSESSMENT, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/357,989 filed Nov. 21, 2016 and entitled
IOT DEVICE RISK ASSESSMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,380,348, each of
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all
purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 depicts a diagram of an example of a system for
performing risk assessment for IoT devices.
[0003] FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of an example packet analysis based
access log management system.
[0004] FIG. 3 depicts a diagram of an example packet analysis based
system log management system.
[0005] FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of an example packet analysis based
event log management system.
[0006] FIG. 5 depicts a diagram of an example of a packet analysis
based IoT device vulnerability determination system.
[0007] FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of an example of a packet analysis
based IoT device profiling system.
[0008] FIG. 7 depicts a diagram of a packet analysis based IoT
device risk assessment system.
[0009] FIG. 8 depicts a diagram of an example of a system for
assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0010] FIG. 9 depicts a diagram of another example of a system for
assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0011] FIG. 10 depicts a diagram of an example of another system
for assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0012] FIG. 11 depicts a diagram of another example of a system for
assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0013] FIG. 12 depicts a diagram of another example of a system for
assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0014] FIG. 13 depicts a diagram of another example of a system for
assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0015] FIG. 14 depicts a flowchart of an example of a method for
generating device profiles of IoT devices through packet inspection
for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT devices.
[0016] FIG. 15 depicts a flowchart of another example of a method
for generating device profiles of IoT devices through packet
inspection for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT devices.
[0017] FIG. 16 depicts a flowchart of another example of a method
for generating device profiles of IoT devices through packet
inspection for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT devices.
[0018] FIG. 17 depicts a flowchart of another example of a method
for generating device profiles of IoT devices through packet
inspection for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT devices.
[0019] FIG. 18 depicts a flowchart of an example of a method for
generating device profiles of IoT devices by determining
vulnerabilities of IoT devices for use in assessing risk levels of
IoT devices.
[0020] FIG. 19 depicts a diagram of an example of a system for
providing IoT device risk assessment through a mirror point.
[0021] FIG. 20 depicts a diagram of an example of a method of
assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0022] FIG. 21 depicts a screenshot of a presentation of risk
assessment data to a user.
[0023] FIG. 22 depicts a screenshot of another presentation of risk
assessment data to a user.
[0024] FIG. 23 depicts a screenshot of another presentation of risk
assessment data to a use.
[0025] FIG. 24 depicts a screenshot of a device map. In the
screenshot, the device map includes hosts and devices an IoT device
communicates with in accessing network services.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIG. 1 depicts a diagram 100 of an example of a system for
performing risk assessment for Internet of things devices (referred
to as "IoT devices"). The system of the example of FIG. 1 includes
a computer-readable medium 102, IoT device 104-1 . . . 104-n
(hereinafter referred to as "IoT devices 104") coupled to the
computer-readable medium 102, and an IoT device risk assessment
system 106.
[0027] The computer-readable medium 102 and other computer readable
mediums discussed in this paper are intended to include all mediums
that are statutory (e.g., in the United States, under 35 U.S.C.
101), and to specifically exclude all mediums that are
non-statutory in nature to the extent that the exclusion is
necessary for a claim that includes the computer-readable medium to
be valid. Known statutory computer-readable mediums include
hardware (e.g., registers, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile
(NV) storage, to name a few), but may or may not be limited to
hardware.
[0028] The computer-readable medium 102 and other computer readable
mediums discussed in this paper are intended to represent a variety
of potentially applicable technologies. For example, the
computer-readable medium 102 can be used to form a network or part
of a network. Where two components are co-located on a device, the
computer-readable medium 102 can include a bus or other data
conduit or plane. Where a first component is co-located on one
device and a second component is located on a different device, the
computer-readable medium 102 can include a wireless or wired
back-end network or LAN. The computer-readable medium 102 can also
encompass a relevant portion of a WAN or other network, if
applicable.
[0029] The devices, systems, and computer-readable mediums
described in this paper can be implemented as a computer system or
parts of a computer system or a plurality of computer systems. In
general, a computer system will include a processor, memory,
non-volatile storage, and an interface. A typical computer system
will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device
(e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor. The processor
can be, for example, a general-purpose central processing unit
(CPU), such as a microprocessor, or a special-purpose processor,
such as a microcontroller.
[0030] The memory can include, by way of example but not
limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM)
and static RAM (SRAM). The memory can be local, remote, or
distributed. The bus can also couple the processor to non-volatile
storage. The non-volatile storage is often a magnetic floppy or
hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only
memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic or
optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data.
Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access
process, into memory during execution of software on the computer
system. The non-volatile storage can be local, remote, or
distributed. The non-volatile storage is optional because systems
can be created with all applicable data available in memory.
[0031] Software is typically stored in the non-volatile storage.
Indeed, for large programs, it may not even be possible to store
the entire program in the memory. Nevertheless, it should be
understood that for software to run, if necessary, it is moved to a
computer-readable location appropriate for processing, and for
illustrative purposes, that location is referred to as the memory
in this paper. Even when software is moved to the memory for
execution, the processor will typically make use of hardware
registers to store values associated with the software, and local
cache that, ideally, serves to speed up execution. As used herein,
a software program is assumed to be stored at an applicable known
or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware
registers) when the software program is referred to as "implemented
in a computer-readable storage medium." A processor is considered
to be "configured to execute a program" when at least one value
associated with the program is stored in a register readable by the
processor.
[0032] In one example of operation, a computer system can be
controlled by operating system software, which is a software
program that includes a file management system, such as a disk
operating system. One example of operating system software with
associated file management system software is the family of
operating systems known as Windows.RTM. from Microsoft Corporation
of Redmond, Washington, and their associated file management
systems. Another example of operating system software with its
associated file management system software is the Linux operating
system and its associated file management system. The file
management system is typically stored in the non-volatile storage
and causes the processor to execute the various acts required by
the operating system to input and output data and to store data in
the memory, including storing files on the non-volatile
storage.
[0033] The bus can also couple the processor to the interface. The
interface can include one or more input and/or output (I/O)
devices. Depending upon implementation-specific or other
considerations, the I/O devices can include, by way of example but
not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk
drives, printers, a scanner, and other I/O devices, including a
display device. The display device can include, by way of example
but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal
display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display
device. The interface can include one or more of a modem or network
interface. It will be appreciated that a modem or network interface
can be considered to be part of the computer system. The interface
can include an analog modem, ISDN modem, cable modem, token ring
interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g. "direct PC"), or
other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer
systems. Interfaces enable computer systems and other devices to be
coupled together in a network.
[0034] The computer systems can be compatible with or implemented
as part of or through a cloud-based computing system. As used in
this paper, a cloud-based computing system is a system that
provides virtualized computing resources, software and/or
information to end user devices. The computing resources, software
and/or information can be virtualized by maintaining centralized
services and resources that the edge devices can access over a
communication interface, such as a network. "Cloud" may be a
marketing term and for the purposes of this paper can include any
of the networks described herein. The cloud-based computing system
can involve a subscription for services or use a utility pricing
model. Users can access the protocols of the cloud-based computing
system through a web browser or other container application located
on their end user device.
[0035] A computer system can be implemented as an engine, as part
of an engine or through multiple engines. As used in this paper, an
engine includes one or more processors or a portion thereof. A
portion of one or more processors can include some portion of
hardware less than all of the hardware comprising any given one or
more processors, such as a subset of registers, the portion of the
processor dedicated to one or more threads of a multi-threaded
processor, a time slice during which the processor is wholly or
partially dedicated to carrying out part of the engine's
functionality, or the like. As such, a first engine and a second
engine can have one or more dedicated processors or a first engine
and a second engine can share one or more processors with one
another or other engines. Depending upon implementation-specific or
other considerations, an engine can be centralized or its
functionality distributed. An engine can include hardware,
firmware, or software embodied in a computer-readable medium for
execution by the processor.
[0036] The processor transforms data into new data using
implemented data structures and methods, such as is described with
reference to the FIGS. in this paper.
[0037] The engines described in this paper, or the engines through
which the systems and devices described in this paper can be
implemented, can be cloud-based engines. As used in this paper, a
cloud-based engine is an engine that can run applications and/or
functionalities using a cloud-based computing system. All or
portions of the applications and/or functionalities can be
distributed across multiple computing devices, and need not be
restricted to only one computing device. In some embodiments, the
cloud-based engines can execute functionalities and/or modules that
end users access through a web browser or container application
without having the functionalities and/or modules installed locally
on the end-users' computing devices.
[0038] As used in this paper, datastores are intended to include
repositories having any applicable organization of data, including
tables, comma-separated values (CSV) files, traditional databases
(e.g., SQL), or other applicable known or convenient organizational
formats. Datastores can be implemented, for example, as software
embodied in a physical computer-readable medium on a
specific-purpose machine, in firmware, in hardware, in a
combination thereof, or in an applicable known or convenient device
or system. Datastore-associated components, such as database
interfaces, can be considered "part of" a datastore, part of some
other system component, or a combination thereof, though the
physical location and other characteristics of datastore-associated
components is not critical for an understanding of the techniques
described in this paper.
[0039] Datastores can include data structures. As used in this
paper, a data structure is associated with a particular way of
storing and organizing data in a computer so that it can be used
efficiently within a given context. Data structures are generally
based on the ability of a computer to fetch and store data at any
place in its memory, specified by an address, a bit string that can
be itself stored in memory and manipulated by the program. Thus,
some data structures are based on computing the addresses of data
items with arithmetic operations; while other data structures are
based on storing addresses of data items within the structure
itself. Many data structures use both principles, sometimes
combined in non-trivial ways. The implementation of a data
structure usually entails writing a set of procedures that create
and manipulate instances of that structure. The datastores,
described in this paper, can be cloud-based datastores. A
cloud-based datastore is a datastore that is compatible with
cloud-based computing systems and engines.
[0040] Returning to the example of FIG. 1, the IoT devices 104 are
intended to represent devices with wired or wireless interfaces
through which the IoT devices 104 can send and receive data over
wired and wireless connections. Examples of IoT devices include
thermostats, mobile devices, biological managers, sensory devices,
and functionality performing devices. The IoT devices 104 can
include unique identifiers which can be used in the transmission of
data through a network. Unique identifiers of the IoT devices 104
can include identifiers created in accordance with Internet
Protocol version 4 (hereinafter referred to as "IPv4"), or
identifiers created in accordance with Internet Protocol version 6
(hereinafter referred to as "IPv6"), of which both protocol
versions are hereby incorporated by reference. Depending upon
implementation-specific or other considerations, the IoT devices
104 can include applicable communication interfaces for receiving
and sending data according to an applicable wireless device
protocol. Examples of applicable wireless device protocols include
Wi-Fi, ZigBee.RTM., Bluetooth.RTM., and other applicable low-power
communication standards.
[0041] In a specific implementation, the IoT devices 104 act as
stations. A station, as used in this paper, can be referred to as a
device with a media access control (MAC) address and a physical
layer (PHY) interface to a wireless medium that complies with the
IEEE 802.11 standard. Thus, for example, the network devices can be
referred to as stations, if applicable. IEEE 802.11a-1999, IEEE
802.11b-1999, IEEE 802.11g-2003, IEEE 802.11-2007, and IEEE 802.11n
TGn Draft 8.0 (2009) are incorporated by reference. As used in this
paper, a system that is 802.11 standards-compatible or 802.11
standards-compliant complies with at least some of one or more of
the incorporated documents' requirements and/or recommendations, or
requirements and/or recommendations from earlier drafts of the
documents, and includes Wi-Fi systems. Wi-Fi is a non-technical
description that is generally correlated with the IEEE 802.11
standards, as well as Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2
security standards, and the Extensible Authentication Protocol
(EAP) standard. In alternative embodiments, a station may comply
with a different standard than Wi-Fi or IEEE 802.11, may be
referred to as something other than a "station," and may have
different interfaces to a wireless or other medium.
[0042] In a specific implementation, the IoT devices 104 are
configured to access network services in compliance with IEEE
802.3. IEEE 802.3 is a working group and a collection of IEEE
standards produced by the working group defining the physical layer
and data link layer's MAC of wired Ethernet. This is generally a
local area network technology with some wide area network
applications. Physical connections are typically made between nodes
and/or infrastructure devices (hubs, switches, routers) by various
types of copper or fiber cable. IEEE 802.3 is a technology that
supports the IEEE 802.1 network architecture. As is well-known in
the relevant art, IEEE 802.11 is a working group and collection of
standards for implementing wireless local area network (WLAN)
computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands.
The base version of the standard IEEE 802.11-2007 has had
subsequent amendments. These standards provide the basis for
wireless network products using the Wi-Fi brand. IEEE 802.1 and
802.3 are incorporated by reference.
[0043] In the example of FIG. 1, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 is intended to represent a system that functions to
determine risk levels of IoT devices. A risk for an IoT device, as
used in this paper, indicates a level or levels of vulnerability in
a network an IoT device introduces in accessing network services
through the network. For example, a risk for an IoT device can
include how likely an IoT device is to be used as part of a denial
of service attack for a network. In another example, a risk for an
IoT device can include how likely an IoT device is to introducing
viruses within a network used by the IoT device to access network
services. An IoT device with a high risk level corresponds to the
IoT device increasing the vulnerability of a network when it
accesses services through the network. A network in which an IoT
device introduces vulnerability forming the basis for determining a
risk of an IoT device can include all or a portion of a LAN used by
the IoT device in accessing network services. For example, a
network in which an IoT device introduces vulnerability can include
a LAN formed by a plurality of IoT devices including the IoT
device. Further in the example, the LAN formed by the plurality of
IoT devices including the IoT device can include a portion or all
of an enterprise or personal network.
[0044] In a specific implementation, at least a portion of the IoT
device risk assessment system 106 is implemented remote from IoT
devices for which the system determines risk levels. For example,
at least a portion of the IoT device risk assessment system 106 can
be implemented as cloud based systems. Portions of the IoT device
risk assessment system 106 implemented remote from IoT devices can
transmit and receive data to and from the IoT devices through
virtual private network (hereinafter "VPN") tunnels. For example,
the IoT device risk assessment system 106 can receive outbound
network traffic sent from IoT devices over a VPN tunnel.
Additionally, VPN tunnels through which the IoT device risk
assessment system 106 can send and receive data can be maintained
using dedicated networking equipment. For example, the IoT device
risk assessment system 106 can send and receive data to and from
IoT devices using dedicated routers for communicating with the IoT
devices.
[0045] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 is implemented, at least in part, through a local agent.
A local agent, as used in this paper, is a physical device locally
coupled to IoT devices for use in transmitting data to and from the
IoT devices. Depending upon implementation-specific or other
considerations, the IoT device risk assessment system 106 can
include either or both a wired and a wireless communication
interface for transmitting data to and from IoT devices over either
or both a wired communication channel and a wireless communication
channel. The IoT device risk assessment system 106 can be, at least
in part, a device provided by an Internet service provider directly
purchased by a consumer and acting as a conduit between networks.
Depending upon implementation or other considerations, the IoT
device risk assessment system 106 can be implemented as part of a
private cloud. A private cloud implementing the IoT device risk
assessment system 106, at least in part, can be specific to an
entity.
[0046] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors. IoT device risk factors
include applicable characteristics of an IoT device and an IoT
device in operation used in determining a risk level of an IoT
device. For example, IoT device risk factors can include whether an
IoT device is operating according to either or both known and
discovered vulnerabilities. IoT device risk factors can include
applicable operational characteristics of an IoT device in
accessing network services through a network. For example, IoT
device risk factors can include a number of open ports used by an
IoT device in accessing network services. In another example, IoT
device risk factors can include a number of open ports not used by
an IoT device accessing network services through other open
ports.
[0047] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors related to device
characteristics of the IoT device. Device characteristics of an IoT
device include applicable characteristics of an IoT device itself.
For example, device characteristics of an IoT device include a
device type of an IoT device, applications, operating systems, and
firmware used by an IoT device, a version of applications,
operating systems, and firmware used by an IoT device, and security
risks associated with a device itself, e.g. based on device type of
the device. For example, if an IoT device is utilizing an out of
data operating system, then the IoT device risk assessment system
106 can determine the IoT device is at a higher risk level.
[0048] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors related to applications used
by IoT devices in accessing network services. Applications used by
IoT devices in accessing network services can include applications
residing, at least in part, at an IoT device and capable of being
executed as part of the IoT device accessing network services. For
example, an application used by an IoT device in accessing network
services can include an application executing at the IoT device
using data transmitted to and from the IoT device as part of the
IoT device accessing network services. IoT device risk factors
related to applications used by IoT devices in accessing network
services can include a number of applications used by an IoT device
in accessing network services and characteristics of applications
used by an IoT device in accessing network services. For example,
IoT device risk factors related to applications used by an IoT
device in accessing network services can include a number of
applications executing at an IoT device at a specific time or
during a specific time duration.
[0049] In a specific implementation, characteristics of an
application forming IoT device risk factors used in determining
risk levels of IoT devices include a risk reputation of the
application. A risk reputation of an application can include a
level or levels of vulnerability an application introduced in one
or plurality of networks based on past operation of IoT devices in
using the application to access network services through the one or
plurality of networks. For example, if an application was used to
infect IoT devices within a network with a virus, then a risk
reputation of the application can indicate or reflect that the
application was used to infect IoT devices within a network.
[0050] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors related to protocols used by
IoT devices in accessing network services. Protocols can include
applicable protocols used in providing IoT devices access to
network services. For example, protocols can include infrastructure
protocols, identification protocols, transport protocols, discovery
protocols, data protocols, device management protocols, semantic
protocols, and multi-layer framework protocols. IoT device risk
factors related to protocols used by IoT devices in accessing
network services can include a number of differed protocols used by
an IoT device in accessing network services and characteristics of
protocols used by an IoT device in accessing network services. For
example, IoT device risk factors related to protocols used by an
IoT device in accessing network services can include a number of
protocols used by an IoT device in accessing network services at a
specific time or during a specific time duration.
[0051] In a specific implementation, characteristics of a protocol
forming IoT device risk factors used in determining risk levels of
IoT devices include a risk reputation of the protocol. A risk
reputation of a protocol can include a level or levels of network
vulnerability introduced to one or plurality of networks based on
past operation of IoT devices in using the protocol to access
network services through the one or plurality of networks. For
example, if an IoT device accessing network services according to a
specific protocol was used to spread a virus within a network, then
a risk reputation of the protocol can indicate or reflect that a
virus was spread through a network using an IoT device accessing
network services according to the protocol.
[0052] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors related to network activeness
of an IoT device in accessing network services. IoT device risk
factors related to network activeness include applicable
characteristics of an IoT device indicating how active the IoT
device is in accessing network services. Example IoT device risk
factors related to network activeness include a number of other IoT
devices or hosts, e.g. remote hosts, an IoT device is communicating
with in accessing network services, a number of connections an IoT
device has established in accessing network services, a frequency
at which an IoT device communicates with a specific number of other
IoT devices or hosts, a frequency at which an IoT device has
established a specific number of connections in accessing network
services, an amount of bandwidth an IoT device is consuming in
accessing network services, and a frequency at which an IoT device
is consuming a specific amount of bandwidth. For example, if the
IoT device risk assessment system 106 determines an IoT device is
communicating with a number of hosts above a threshold number of
hosts in accessing network services, then the IoT device risk
assessment system 106 can determine the IoT device is at a high
risk level.
[0053] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors related to network
communication characteristics of the IoT devices in accessing
network services. IoT device risk factors related to network
communication characteristics of IoT devices in accessing network
services include applicable characteristics of IoT devices in
communicating through a network to access network services. For
example, IoT device risk factors related to network communication
characteristics include whether an IoT device is communicating
internally, e.g. with hosts or other IoT devices through a LAN,
whether an IoT device is communicating externally, e.g. with remote
hosts or remote IoT devices through a WAN or the Internet, whether
an IoT device is communicating in an outbound communication
session, e.g. a communication session in which the IoT device
initiates communication, and whether an IoT device is communicating
in an inbound communication session, e.g. a communication session
in which another IoT device or host initiates communication with an
IoT device. For example, the IoT device risk assessment system 106
can set a risk level of a first IoT device communicating internally
in an outbound communication session lower than a set risk level of
a second IoT device communicating externally in an inbound
communication session.
[0054] In a specific implementation, network communication
characteristics forming IoT device risk factors used in determining
risk levels of IoT devices include a risk reputation of a host or
another IoT device communicating with an IoT device as part of
accessing network services. A risk reputation of another IoT device
is communicating with as part of accessing network services can be
a risk level assigned to the another network device based on IoT
device risk factors. For example, if an IoT device is communicating
internally with another IoT device through a LAN, then a risk
reputation of the another IoT device can be a risk level assigned
to the another IoT device using IoT device risk factors.
Additionally, a risk reputation of a host or another IoT device can
include a level or levels of vulnerability a host or another IoT
device introduced in one or plurality of networks based on past
operation of IoT devices communicating with the host or another IoT
device in accessing network services through the one or plurality
of networks. For example, if IoT device external communication with
a remote host caused a network to undergo an attack, then a risk
reputation of the remote host can indicate that external
communication with the remote host caused an attack on a
network.
[0055] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors related to security
characteristics of data traffic in providing IoT devices network
service access. Security characteristics of data traffic in
providing IoT devices network service access include applicable
characteristics related to security of data traffic, e.g. whether
data traffic transmitted to and from an IoT device is encrypted or
sent through network tunnels. For example, if an IoT device is
sending and receiving encrypted data in accessing network services,
then the IoT device risk assessment system 106 can determine that
the IoT device has a low risk level.
[0056] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors related to operational
performance deviations of IoT devices. Operational performance
deviations of IoT devices include ways in which IoT devices, in
operation, deviate from regular IoT device behaviors, as indicated
by device profiles of IoT devices. Regular IoT device behavior
includes typical behavior exhibited by IoT devices in operation.
Regular IoT device behavior can include typical IoT device behavior
of a specific IoT device, typical IoT device behavior of IoT
devices of a specific type, and typical IoT device behavior of a
group of IoT devices. For example, regular IoT device behavior can
include typical IoT device behavior of a group of IoT devices
within an enterprise network. In another example, regular IoT
device behavior can include typical IoT device behavior of a group
of IoT devices at a physical location. An example of an operational
performance deviation of an IoT device is an IoT device
communicating with a remote host other IoT devices within the
enterprise network of the IoT device refrain from communicating
with, as indicated by typical IoT device behavior of the other IoT
devices within the enterprise network.
[0057] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to maintain device profiles for IoT devices.
Device profiles can be used to determine risk levels of IoT
devices, e.g. by analyzing IoT device risk factors of IoT devices
indicated by the device profiles. A device profile for an IoT
device includes either or both characteristics of the IoT device
and characteristics of how the IoT device functions in operation.
For example a device profile can include a type of device of an IoT
device, a maker of an IoT device, a module of an IoT device,
firmware on an IoT device, an operating system of an IoT device,
applications executing at or capable of being executed at an IoT
device, an entity or an organization associated with an IoT device,
a physical location of an IoT device, a network location of an IoT
device, uses of an IoT device, characteristics of an IoT device
actually operating, patterns of an IoT device in operating. In
maintaining IoT device profiles, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 can cluster IoT devices together, thereby associating
IoT device profiles with each other, for use in determining risk
levels of IoT devices. For example, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 can group IoT devices of the same type in an enterprise
network together for use in determining a risk level of an IoT
device of the type in the enterprise network based on device
profiles of the grouped IoT devices.
[0058] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to maintain an instance of an IoT device as
part of an IoT device profile. An instance of an IoT device
includes either or both characteristics of an IoT device and
characteristics of how a device is operating at a specific time.
For example, if an IoT device begins communicating internally with
another IoT device, then an instance of the IoT device can indicate
that the IoT device is communicating internally with another IoT
device. The IoT device risk assessment system 106 can use one or a
plurality of instances of IoT devices to determine operational
performance deviations of the IoT devices. For example, if a
plurality of instances of an IoT device indicate an IoT device is
communicating with a host which the IoT device does not normally
communicate with, as indicated by regular IoT device behavior, then
the IoT device risk assessment system 106 can determine the IoT
device is deviating in its operation.
[0059] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to match an IoT device to a new device profile
or otherwise create a new device profile for the IoT device based
on instances of the IoT device. In matching an IoT device to a new
device profile based on instances of the IoT device, the IoT device
risk assessment system 106 can determine whether to actually match
the IoT device to a new device profile using the instances of the
IoT device. For example, if instances of an IoT device indicate the
IoT device is continuing to deviate from regular IoT device
behavior of the IoT device, or is otherwise behaving abnormally,
then the IoT device risk assessment system 106 can determine to
match the IoT device to a new device profile or create a new device
profile for the IoT device. Additionally, in matching an IoT device
to a new device profile based on instances of the IoT device, the
IoT device risk assessment system 106 can determine a new device
profile to match to the IoT device or otherwise create for the new
IoT device. For example, if an instance of an IoT device indicates
an IoT device is of a specific type, then the IoT device risk
assessment system 106 can match the IoT device to an IoT device
profile of an IoT device of the same type. In another example, the
IoT device risk assessment system 106 can generate a new IoT device
profile for an IoT device based on characteristics of the IoT
device, as indicated by instances, before the IoT device began to
deviate from regular IoT device behavior.
[0060] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to maintain device profiles based on passive
observation of IoT devices. In maintaining device profiles based on
passive observation of IoT devices, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 can use IoT history data created from one or an
applicable combination of event logs, system logs, and access logs.
Event logs, system logs, and access logs used in creating IoT
history data can be maintained by analyzing data packets
transmitted to and from IoT devices. For example, event logs,
system logs, and access logs used in creating IoT history data can
be maintained by performing deep packet inspection on data packets
transmitted to and from IoT devices.
[0061] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to maintain device profile based on active
probing of IoT devices. In maintaining device profiles based on
active probing of IoT devices, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 can use IoT history data created by analyzing data
traffic sent from an IoT device in response to probing of the IoT
device. For example, if data sent from an IoT device in response to
probing indicates an IoT device is susceptible to malware, as
indicated by IoT history data, then the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 can update a device profile of the IoT device to
indicate the device is susceptible to malware. The IoT device risk
assessment system 106 can maintain a device profile of an IoT
device based on a vulnerability score assigned to the IoT device in
response to proving of the vulnerability device. Specifically, the
IoT device risk assessment system 106 can update a device profile
of an IoT device to include a vulnerability score assigned to the
IoT device and the vulnerability factors and IoT device performance
resulting from probing that led to assignment of the vulnerability
score to the IoT device.
[0062] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices
according to IoT device risk factors based on assessment weights.
Assessment weights specify weights to give to different risk
factors in determining a risk level for an IoT device.
Additionally, assessment weights are specific to one or a plurality
of IoT device risk factors. For example, an assessment weight can
specify to weigh IoT risk factors related to applications used by
an IoT device in accessing network services 20% in determining an
overall risk level, e.g. a risk score, of the IoT device. A risk
score determined for an IoT device can be used to assess IoT
devices into different risk levels. For example, if a first IoT
device is assigned a risk score of twenty and a second IoT device
is assigned a risk score of eighty, then the first IoT device can
be assessed into a low risk level, while the second IoT device can
be assessed into a high risk level.
[0063] In a specific implementation, assessment weights applied to
IoT device risk factors for use in determining risk levels of IoT
devices, are dependent on characteristics of a network.
Characteristics of a network include applicable features for
describing a network in providing IoT devices access to network
services. Examples of characteristics of a network include
characteristics of other IoT devices within a network, as indicated
by device profiles of the other IoT devices, physical locations of
IoT devices within a network, and a network type of a network. In
depending on characteristics of a network, assessment weights can
vary between different IoT devices accessing network services
through different networks. For example, if a first IoT device
accesses network services through a first LAN serving a large
amount of IoT devices, while a second IoT device accessed network
services through a second LAN is serving a small amount of IoT
device, then an assessment weight related to network activeness can
be lower for the first IoT device than it is for the second IoT
device.
[0064] In a specific implementation, in depending on
characteristics of IoT devices as part of characteristics of a
network, assessment weights vary between different IoT devices
accessing network services through the same network. For example, a
first IoT device of a first device type accessing network services
through a LAN can have different assessment weights than a second
IoT device of a different device type accessing network services
through the same LAN. In another example, if a first IoT device in
accessing network services through a LAN is communicating
externally with a remote host while a second IoT device in
accessing network services through the LAN is communicating
internally, then an assessment weight for IoT device risk factors
related to network communication characteristics can be greater for
the first IoT device than it is for the second IoT device.
[0065] In a specific implementation, assessment weights applied to
IoT device risk factors related to operational performance
deviations of IoT devices are dependent on either or both specific
behaviors an IoT device exhibited in deviating from regular IoT
device behaviors or a degree to which an IoT device deviates from
regular IoT device behaviors. For example, if in communicating with
other IoT devices or hosts as part of accessing network services,
an IoT device only deviates slightly from regular IoT device
behaviors, then an assessment weight to apply IoT device risk
factors related to operation performance deviations of IoT devices
for the IoT can only be modified slightly for the IoT device. In
another example, if in deviating from regular IoT device behavior,
an IoT device exhibits vulnerabilities to outside attacks, then an
assessment weight applied to IoT device risk factors related to
operational performance deviations of IoT devices can be increased
significantly.
[0066] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to present risk assessment data to a user.
Risk assessment data includes applicable data related to assessment
of IoT devices into risk levels. Example risk assessment data
includes determined risk levels of IoT devices, characteristics of
IoT devices, identifications of IoT devices, determined risk scores
for IoT devices, assessment weights, including values of the
weights used to determine risk levels of IoT devices, and IoT
device risk factors used to determine risk levels of IoT devices.
For example, the IoT device risk assessment system 106 can present
to a user risk levels assigned to IoT devices managed by a user. In
another example, the IoT device risk assessment system 106 can
present to a user identifications of all IoT devices managed by a
user which are assigned to a risk level above a threshold risk
level.
[0067] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 106 functions to present risk assessment data to a user
either or both periodically and in a response to a stimulus.
Examples of stimuli triggering presentation of risk assessment data
include an IoT device of a user is assigned a risk level greater
than a threshold risk level, a threshold number of IoT devices of a
user are assigned a risk level greater than a threshold risk level,
or a user requests a risk assessment report for their IoT devices.
For example, if a threshold for informing a user risk levels
assigned to their IoT devices is one hundred devices have been
assigned to a high risk level, and one hundred IoT devices managed
by a user are assigned to a high risk level, then the IoT device
risk assessment system 106 can present identifications of the one
hundred IoT devices assigned to the high risk level to the
user.
[0068] In an example of operation of the example system shown in
FIG. 1, the IoT device risk assessment system 106 generates device
profiles for the IoT devices 104 based on characteristics of the
IoT devices 104 in accessing network services. In the example of
operation of the example system shown in FIG. 1, the IoT device
risk assessment system 106 assigns the IoT devices 104 to risk
levels according to IoT device risk factors and assessment weights
based on the generated device profiles for the IoT devices 104.
Additionally in the example of operation of the example system
shown in FIG. 1, the IoT device risk assessment system 106 presents
risk assessment data indicating the risk levels assigned to the IoT
devices 104 to a user associated with the IoT devices 104.
[0069] FIG. 2 depicts a diagram 200 of an example packet analysis
based access log management system 202. The packet analysis based
access log management system 202 is intended to represent a system
that functions to use packet analysis to manage access logs for IoT
devices. The packet analysis based access log management system 202
can be implemented as part of an applicable system for assessing
IoT device risk levels, such as the IoT device risk assessment
systems described in this paper. An access log managed by the
packet analysis based access log management system 202 can be used
in assessing IoT device risk levels. For example, an access log
maintained by the packet analysis based access log management
system 202 can be used to develop device profiles for IoT devices
for use in assessing risk levels for the IoT devices. An access log
maintained by the packet analysis based access log management
system 202 includes applicable information related to users
utilizing IoT devices. For example, an access log can include an
identification of a user who utilized an IoT device, times when the
user accessed the IoT device, locations of the IoT device when it
was accessed by a specific user, locations of the user when
accessing the IoT device, characteristics of different types of
access to the IoT device, e.g. remote access, and ways in which a
specific user utilizes the IoT device to access network services,
which can also be included as part of or maintained separately as
an event log.
[0070] In a specific implementation, in maintaining an access log,
the packet analysis based access log management system 202 can
inspect packets at a location local with respect to IoT devices for
which the packet analysis based access log management system 202
manages access logs. For example, the packet analysis based access
log management system 202 can be implemented, at least in part, at
a local appliance coupled to IoT devices, and subsequently inspect
packets sent to and received from the IoT devices at the appliance.
Alternatively, the packet analysis based access log management
system 202 can inspect packets at a remote location with respect to
IoT devices for which the packet analysis based access log
management system 202 manages access logs. For example, the packet
analysis based access log management system 202 can be implemented
at a remote location from IoT devices, e.g. the cloud, and
subsequently inspect packets sent to and received from the IoT
devices at the remote location, e.g. in-line. When the packet
analysis based access log management system 202 is implemented to
inspect packets at a remote location with respect to IoT devices,
the packet analysis based access log management system 202 can
receive packets for inspection through VPN tunnels.
[0071] The packet analysis based access log management system 202
shown in the example of FIG. 2 includes a data flow management
engine 204, a packet inspector engine 206, an access log management
engine 208, and an access log datastore 210. The data flow
management engine 204 functions to control the flow of data packets
to and from IoT devices. In controlling the flow of data packets to
and from IoT devices, the data flow management engine 204 can
obtain data packets. In various implementations, the data flow
management engine 204 can use packet sniffing to obtain data
packets. For example, the data flow management engine 204 can
analyze headers of data packets to determine which data packets to
obtain for subsequent performance of packet inspection. Further, in
controlling the flow of data packets to and from IoT devices, the
data flow management engine 204 can forward the data packets to an
appropriate destination. For example, if a data packet is addressed
to a specific IoT device, then the data flow management engine 204
can forward the data packet to the specific IoT device. In various
implementations, the data flow management engine 204 can forward
data packets after the packets have been inspected. For example,
the data flow management engine 204 can forward data packets after
deep packet inspection has been performed on the data packets.
[0072] In a specific implementation, the data flow management
engine 204 functions to manage forwarding of data packets through
VPN tunnels. In managing forwarding of data packets through VPN
tunnels, the data flow management engine 204 can forward data
packets to appropriate destinations using VPN tunnels. For example,
the data flow management engine 204 can forward a data packet using
a VPN tunnel, by forwarding the data packet to an ultimate
destination through dedicated networking equipment, e.g. routers,
for VPN tunneling. In managing forwarding of data packets through
VPN tunnels, the data flow management engine 204 can select
specific data packets to forward using VPN tunnels. The data flow
management engine 204 can select data packets to forward through
VPN tunneling based, at least in part, on either or both an origin
and a destination of the data packet. For example, the data flow
management engine 204 can forward data packets sent from a specific
IoT device through VPN tunneling. Further, the data flow management
engine 204 can select data packets to forward through VPN tunneling
based, at least in part, on either or both a packet type and data
contained in data packets. For example, if a data packet relates to
sensitive information of a user, then the data flow management
engine 204 can forward the packet through VPN tunneling. Either or
both a packet type and data contained in data packets can be
determined by an applicable data packet analysis technique, e.g.
deep packet inspection.
[0073] In a specific implementation, a portion of the data flow
management engine 204 is implemented as a local appliance, with
respect to IoT devices, and another portion of the data flow
management engine 204 is implemented remote from the IoT devices,
e.g. in the cloud. A locally implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 204 can obtain data packets transmitted from IoT
devices and transmit the data packets to a remotely implemented
portion of the data flow management engine 204 for use in assessing
IoT device risk levels. Additionally, a locally implemented portion
of the data flow management engine 204 can obtain data packets
transmitted from IoT devices and transmit the data packets to a
remotely implemented portion of the data flow management engine 204
through VPN tunneling. Data packets transmitted from a locally
implemented portion of the data flow management engine 204 to a
remotely implemented portion of the data flow management engine 204
can be analyzed at the remote location, e.g. in the cloud, for use
in assessing IoT device risk levels.
[0074] In a specific implementation, a remotely implemented portion
of the data flow management engine 204 functions to obtain data
packets destined to IoT devices and transmit the data packets to a
locally implemented portion of the data flow management engine 204,
for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices. A remotely
implemented portion of the data flow management engine 204 can
obtain data packets destined to IoT devices and transmit the data
packets to a remotely implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 204 through VPN tunneling. Additionally, data
packets transmitted from a remotely implemented portion of the data
flow management engine 204 to a locally implemented portion of the
data flow management engine 204 can be analyzed at either or both a
remote location or a local location, for use in assessing risk
levels of IoT devices.
[0075] In the example of FIG. 2, the packet inspector engine 206 is
intended to represent an engine that functions to sniff packets
sent to and from IoT devices for the purposes of assessing risk
levels of the IoT devices. For example, the packet inspector engine
206 can analyze packets to determine a user of an IoT device.
Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations, the
packet inspector engine 206 can perform deep packet inspection on
packets sent to and from IoT devices. In performing deep packet
inspection on packets sent to and from IoT devices, the packet
inspector engine 206 can determine transaction data from payloads
of data packets. Transaction data includes either or both types and
subjects of data transmitted as part of a data packet. For example,
transaction data of a data packet sent to a thermostat can include
an instruction to increase the temperature at the thermostat.
Transaction data determined by the packet inspector engine 206 can
be used to build, at least in part, historical records for IoT
devices. Historical records of IoT devices can be formed from an
applicable combination of event logs, system logs, and access logs
for IoT devices and used in assessing risk levels of IoT
devices.
[0076] In a specific implementation, the packet inspector engine
206 functions to identify either or both destinations and sources
of analyzed data packets. For example, the packet inspector engine
206 can determine an identification of a destination IoT device by
analyzing a data packet destined for the IoT device. In another
example, the packet inspector engine 206 can determine a source of
a data packet destined to an IoT device. Identifications of either
or both destinations and sources of analyzed data packets, as
determined by the packet inspector engine 206, can be used, along
with determined transaction data to generate historical records of
IoT devices. The packet inspector engine 206 can select data
packets to perform deep packet inspection on based on at least one
of a source of data packets, a destination of data packets, a data
packet type of data packets, and data within data packets. For
example, all data packets from a particular source can have deep
packet inspection performed on them by the packet inspector engine
206.
[0077] In the example of FIG. 2, the access log management engine
208 is intended to represent an engine that functions to maintain
an access log of IoT devices for use in assessing IoT device risk
levels. In managing an access log, the access log management engine
208 can create and update an access log to indicate an
identification of a specific user interacting with or using an IoT
device, when the user interacted with or used the IoT device,
whether the user interacted with the IoT device from a remote
location or not, and events in interacting with the IoT device,
indicating a usage type of the IoT device by the user. An access
log can be used to generate a subset of a historical record of an
IoT device specific to a user, for use in establishing a regular
behavior of a user in interacting with or utilizing a specific IoT
device. For example, an access log can be used to establish that a
user always interacts with a tablet at 8 o'clock in the evening on
weeknights. Regular behavior of a user in interacting with or
utilizing a specific IoT device can be used, at least in part, to
assess a risk level of the IoT device.
[0078] In a specific implementation, the access log management
engine 208 functions to maintain an access log for an IoT device
based on analysis of data packets transmitted to and from the IoT
device. For example, the access log management engine 208 can
maintain an access log for an IoT device based on analysis of data
packets transmitted to and from the IoT device as a user interacts
with or utilizes an IoT device. Depending upon
implementation-specific or other considerations, the access log
management engine 208 can maintain an access log based on deep
packet inspection of packets transmitted to and from an IoT device.
For example, the access log management engine 208 can use
transaction data identified through deep packet inspection of data
packets to determine how a user is interacting with an IoT device,
e.g. events in interacting with the IoT device. Further in the
example, the access log management engine 208 can update an access
log to indicate how the user interacted with the IoT device. In
another example, the access log management engine 208 can use
transaction data identified through deep packet inspection of data
packets to determine how a user remotely interacts with an IoT
device, e.g. events in interacting with the IoT device
remotely.
[0079] In a specific implementation, the access log management
engine 208 functions to maintain an access log for IoT devices
using at least in part, event logs for the IoT devices. In various
implementations, the access log management engine 208 can use
transaction data identified through deep packet inspection of data
packets to determine how a user is interacting with an IoT device,
e.g. events in interacting with the IoT device, and an events log
to maintain an access log. For example, the access log management
engine 208 can compare events determined from transaction data
identified through deep packet inspection with a pattern of events,
indicated by an event log, to determine how a user is interacting
with an IoT device and subsequently update an access log to
indicate how the user is interacting with the IoT device. In
another example, the access log management engine 208 can compare
events determined from transaction data identified through deep
packet inspection with a pattern of events associated with
different users, indicated by an event log, to determine an
identification of a user interacting with an IoT device.
[0080] In the example of FIG. 2, the access log datastore 210 is
intended to represent a datastore that functions to store access
log data indicating access logs for use in determining risk levels
of IoT devices. Access log data stored in the access log datastore
210 can be maintained using packet analysis of data packets
transmitted to and from IoT devices. Additionally, access log data
stored in the access log datastore 210 can be maintained using
events in interactions with IoT devices determined from transaction
data identified through deep packet inspection of data packets
transmitted to and from the IoT devices. Further, access log data
stored in the access log datastore 210 can be maintained using, at
least in part, an event logs for IoT devices.
[0081] In an example of operation of the system shown in the
example of FIG. 2, the data flow management engine 204 obtains data
packets destined to or sent from an IoT device. In the example of
operation of the example system shown in FIG. 2, the packet
inspector engine 206 uses deep packet inspection to identify
transaction data describing user interactions with the IoT device
from the obtained data packets. Further, in the example of
operation of the example of operation of the example system shown
in FIG. 2, the access log management engine 208 determines events
related to user interaction with the IoT device from the
transaction data and subsequently maintains an access log, stored
as access log data in the access log datastore 210, based on the
determined events. In the example of operation of the example
system shown in FIG. 2, the access log, stored as the access log
data in the access log datastore 210 is used in assessing IoT
device risk levels.
[0082] FIG. 3 depicts a diagram 300 of an example packet analysis
based system log management system 302. The packet analysis based
system log management system 302 is intended to represent a system
that functions to use packet analysis to manage system logs for IoT
devices. Additionally, the packet analysis based system log
management system 302 can be implemented as part of an applicable
system for assessing IoT device risk levels, such as the IoT device
risk assessment systems described in this paper. A system log
managed by the packet analysis based system log management system
302 can be used in assessing IoT device risk levels. For example, a
system log maintained by the system log management system 302 can
be used to develop device profiles for IoT devices for use in
assessing risk levels of the IoT devices. A system log maintained
by the packet analysis based system log management system 302 can
include applicable information relating to systems of managed IoT
devices. For example, a system log can include applications and
operating systems executed at an IoT device, and capabilities of an
IoT device, e.g. whether an IoT device is capable of communicating
with a remote source.
[0083] In a specific implementation, in maintaining a system log,
the packet analysis based system log management system 302 can
inspect packets at a location local with respect to IoT devices for
which the packet analysis based system log management system 302
manages system logs. For example, the packet analysis based system
log management system 302 can be implemented, at least in part, at
a local appliance coupled to IoT devices, and subsequently inspect
packets sent to and received from the IoT devices at the appliance.
Alternatively, the packet analysis based system log management
system 302 can inspect packets at a remote location with respect to
IoT devices for which the packet analysis based system log
management system 302 manages system logs. For example, the packet
analysis based system log management system 302 can be implemented
at a remote location from IoT devices, e.g. the cloud, and
subsequently inspect packets sent to and received from the IoT
devices at the remote location, e.g. in-line. When the packet
analysis based system log management system 302 is implemented to
inspect packets at a remote location with respect to IoT devices,
the packet analysis based system log management system 302 can
receive packets for inspection through VPN tunneling.
[0084] The packet analysis based system log management system 302
shown in the example of FIG. 3 includes a data flow management
engine 304, a packet inspector engine 306, a system log management
engine 308, and a system log datastore 310. The data flow
management engine 304 is intended to represent an engine that
functions according to an applicable engine for controlling the
flow of data packets to and from IoT devices for purposes of
determining risk levels of the IoT devices, such as the data flow
management engines described in this paper. In controlling the flow
of data packets to and from IoT devices, the data flow management
engine 304 can obtain data packets. Further, in controlling the
flow of data packets to and from IoT devices, the data flow
management engine 304 can forward the data packets to an
appropriate destination. For example, if a data packet is addressed
to a specific IoT device, then the data flow management engine 304
can forward the data packet to the specific IoT device. In various
implementations, the data flow management engine 304 can forward
data packets after the packets have been inspected. For example,
the data flow management engine 304 can forward data packets after
deep packet inspection has been performed on the data packets.
[0085] In a specific implementation, the data flow management
engine 304 functions to manage forwarding of data packets through
VPN tunnels. In managing forwarding of data packets through VPN
tunnels, the data flow management engine 304 can forward data
packets to appropriate destinations using VPN tunnels. For example,
the data flow management engine 304 can forward a data packet using
a VPN tunnel, by forwarding the data packet to an ultimate
destination through dedicated networking equipment, e.g. routers,
for VPN tunneling. In managing forwarding of data packets through
VPN tunnels, the data flow management engine 304 can select
specific data packets to forward using VPN tunnels. The data flow
management engine 304 can select data packets to forward through
VPN tunneling based, at least in part, on either or both an origin
and a destination of the data packet. For example, the data flow
management engine 304 can forward data packets sent from a specific
IoT device through VPN tunneling. The data flow management engine
304 can select data packets to forward through VPN tunneling based,
at least in part, on either or both a packet type and data
contained in data packets. For example, if a data packet relates to
login information of a user, then the data flow management engine
304 can forward the packet through VPN tunneling. Either or both a
packet type and data contained in data packets can be determined by
an applicable data packet analysis techniques, e.g. deep packet
inspection.
[0086] In a specific implementation, a portion of the data flow
management engine 304 is implemented as a local appliance, with
respect to IoT devices, and another portion of the data flow
management engine 304 is implemented remote from the IoT devices,
e.g. in the cloud. A locally implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 304 can obtain data packets transmitted from IoT
devices and transmit the data packets to a remotely implemented
portion of the data flow management engine 304. Additionally, a
locally implemented portion of the data flow management engine 304
can obtain data packets transmitted from IoT devices and transmit
the data packets to a remotely implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 304 through VPN tunneling. Data packets
transmitted from a locally implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 304 to a remotely implemented portion of the data
flow management engine 304 can be analyzed at the remote location,
e.g. in the cloud, for use in assessing IoT device risk levels.
[0087] In a specific implementation, a remotely implemented portion
of the data flow management engine 304 functions to obtain data
packets destined to IoT devices and transmit the data packets to a
locally implemented portion of the data flow management engine 304,
for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices. A remotely
implemented portion of the data flow management engine 304 can
obtain data packets destined to IoT devices and transmit the data
packets to a locally implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 304 through VPN tunneling. Additionally, data
packets transmitted from a remotely implemented portion of the data
flow management engine 304 to a locally implemented portion of the
data flow management engine 304 can be analyzed at either or both a
remote location or a local location, for use in assessing risk
levels of IoT devices.
[0088] In the example of FIG. 3, the packet inspector engine 306 is
intended to represent an engine that functions according to an
applicable engine for sniffing packets sent to and from IoT devices
for the purposes of assessing risk levels of the IoT devices, such
as the packet inspector engines described in this paper. For
example, the packet inspector engine 306 can sniff packets to
determine applications being executed at an IoT device which can
subsequently be used to determine a risk level of an IoT device. In
analyzing data packets, the packet inspector engine 306 can perform
deep packet inspection on packets sent to and from IoT devices. In
performing deep packet inspection on packets sent to and from IoT
devices, the packet inspector engine 306 can determine transaction
data of data packets. Transaction data determined by the packet
inspector engine 306 can be used to build, at least in part,
historical records for IoT devices. Historical records for IoT
devices can be formed from an applicable combination of event logs,
system logs, and access logs for IoT devices and used in assessing
risk levels of IoT devices.
[0089] In a specific implementation, the packet inspector engine
306 functions to identify either or both destinations and sources
of analyzed data packets. For example, the packet inspector engine
306 can determine an identification of a destination IoT device by
analyzing a data packet destined for the IoT device. In another
example, the packet inspector engine 306 can determine a source of
a data packet destined to an IoT device. Identifications of either
or both destinations and sources of analyzed data packets can be
used, along with transaction data determined from the analyzed data
packets, to generate historical records for IoT devices. The packet
inspector engine 306 can select data packets to perform deep packet
inspection on based on at least one of a source of data packets, a
destination of data packets, a data packet type of data packets,
and data within data packets. For example, all data packets from a
particular source can have deep packet inspection performed on them
by the packet inspector engine 306.
[0090] In the example of FIG. 3, the system log management engine
308 is intended to represent an engine that functions to maintain a
system log for IoT devices for use in assessing risk levels of IoT
devices. In managing a system log, the system log management engine
308 can create and update a system log to indicate one or an
applicable combination of an identification of applications and
operating systems executing or capable of being executed at an IoT
device, versions of applications and operating systems executing or
capable of being executed at an IoT device, applications and
operating systems that have been executed at an IoT device, and
times and locations of the IoT devices when the applications and
operating systems were executed at an IoT device. A system log can
be used to generate a historical record specific to an IoT device,
for use in determining whether a normal application is being
executed at an IoT device as part of regular IoT device behavior.
For example, a system log can be used to establish that an IoT
device usually executes specific applications which can
subsequently be used to assess a risk level of the IoT device.
[0091] In a specific implementation, the system log management
engine 308 functions to maintain a system log for an IoT device
based on analysis of data packets transmitted to and from the IoT
device. In maintaining a system log based on analysis of data
packets, the system log management engine 308 can maintain a system
log based on deep packet inspection of packets transmitted to and
from an IoT device. For example, the system log management engine
308 can use transaction data identified through deep packet
inspection of data packets to determine what applications are
executing on an IoT device, e.g. through types of data transmitted
from an IoT device. Further in the example, the system log
management engine 308 can update a system log to indicate what
applications are executing at an IoT device and times the
applications are executing at the IoT device.
[0092] In the example of FIG. 3, the system log datastore 310 is
intended to represent a datastore that functions to store system
log data indicating system logs for use in assessing IoT device
risk levels. System log data stored in the system log datastore 310
can be maintained using packet analysis of data packets transmitted
to and from IoT devices. Additionally, system log data stored in
the system log datastore 310 can be maintained using transaction
data identified through deep packet inspection of data packets
transmitted to and from the IoT devices. For example, system log
data can be generated based on a determination of applications
executing at an IoT device using transaction data identified
through deep packet inspection of data packets transferred to and
from the IoT device as part of executing the applications.
[0093] In an example of operation of the system shown in the
example of FIG. 3, the data flow management engine 304 obtains data
packets destined to or sent from an IoT device. In the example of
operation of the example system shown in FIG. 3, the packet
inspector engine 306 uses deep packet inspection to identify
transaction data from the obtained data packets. Further, in the
example of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 3, the
system log management engine 308 determines applications executing
at the IoT device from the transaction data and subsequently
maintains a system log, stored as system log data in the system log
datastore 310, indicating the applications executing at the IoT
device and when the applications were executing at the IoT device.
In the example of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 3,
the system log, stored as the system log data in the system log
datastore 310 is used in assessing IoT device risk levels.
[0094] FIG. 4 depicts a diagram 400 of an example packet analysis
based event log management system 402. The packet analysis based
event log management system 402 is intended to represent a system
that functions to use packet analysis to manage event logs for IoT
devices. Additionally, the packet analysis based event log
management system 402 can be implemented as part of an applicable
system for assessing IoT device risk levels, such as the IoT device
rise assessment systems described in this paper. An event log
managed by the packet analysis based event log management system
402 can be used in assessing risk levels of IoT devices. For
example, an event log maintained by the packet analysis based event
log management system 402 can be used to develop device profiles
for IoT devices for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT
devices. An event log includes events associated with IoT devices.
Events can include applicable parameters related to operation of an
IoT device, such as what data is sent to and from the IoT device,
destinations and origins of data sent to and from the IoT device,
identifications of the IoT device, geographic information relating
to the IoT device, and interaction types corresponding to patterns
of events. For example, an event log can include a pattern of
events corresponding to a specific way in which an IoT device is
being interacted with or otherwise functioning.
[0095] In a specific implementation, in maintaining an event log,
the packet analysis based event log management system 402 can
inspect packets at a location local with respect to IoT devices for
which the packet analysis based event log management system 402
manages an event log. For example, the packet analysis based event
log management system 402 can be implemented, at least in part, at
a local appliance coupled to IoT devices, and subsequently inspect
packets sent to and received from the IoT devices at the appliance.
Alternatively, the packet analysis based event log management
system 402 can inspect packets at a remote location with respect to
IoT devices for which the packet analysis based event log
management system 402 manages an event log. For example, the packet
analysis based event log management system 402 can be implemented
at a remote location from IoT devices, e.g. the cloud, and
subsequently inspect packets sent to and received from the IoT
devices at the remote location, e.g. in-line. When the packet
analysis based event log management system 402 is implemented to
inspect packets at a remote location with respect to IoT devices,
the packet analysis based event log management system 402 can
receive packets for inspection through VPN tunneling.
[0096] The packet analysis based event log management system 402
shown in the example of FIG. 4 includes a data flow management
engine 404, a packet inspector engine 406, an event log management
engine 408, and an event log datastore 410. The data flow
management engine 404 is intended to represent an engine that
functions according to an applicable engine for controlling the
flow of data packets to and from IoT devices for purposes of
determining risk levels of IoT devices, such as the data flow
management engines described in this paper. In controlling the flow
of data packets to and from IoT devices, the data flow management
engine 404 can obtain data packets. Further, in controlling the
flow of data packets to and from IoT devices, the data flow
management engine 404 can forward the data packets to an
appropriate destination. For example, if a data packet is addressed
to a specific IoT device, then the data flow management engine 404
can forward the data packet to the specific IoT device. In various
implementations, the data flow management engine 404 can forward
data packets after the packets have been inspected. For example,
the data flow management engine 404 can forward data packets after
deep packet inspection has been performed on the data packets.
[0097] In a specific implementation, the data flow management
engine 404 functions to manage forwarding of data packets through
VPN tunnels. In managing forwarding of data packets through VPN
tunnels, the data flow management engine 404 can forward data
packets to appropriate destinations using VPN tunnels. For example,
the data flow management engine 404 can forward a data packet using
a VPN tunnel, by forwarding the data packet to an ultimate
destination through dedicated networking equipment, e.g. routers,
for VPN tunneling. In managing forwarding of data packets through
VPN tunnels, the data flow management engine 404 can select
specific data packets to forward using VPN tunnels. the data flow
management engine 404 can select data packets to forward through
VPN tunneling based, at least in part, on an either or both an
origin and a destination of the data packet. For example, the data
flow management engine 404 can forward data packets sent from a
specific IoT device through VPN tunneling. Additionally, the data
flow management engine 404 can select data packets to forward
through VPN tunneling based, at least in part, on either or both a
packet type and data contained in data packets. For example, if a
data packet relates to login information of a user, then the data
flow management engine 404 can forward the packet through VPN
tunneling. Either or both a packet type and data contained in data
packets can be determined by an applicable packet analysis
technique, e.g. deep packet inspection.
[0098] In a specific implementation, a portion of the data flow
management engine 404 is implemented as a local appliance, with
respect to IoT devices, and another portion of the data flow
management engine 404 is implemented remote from the IoT devices,
e.g. in the cloud. A locally implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 404 can obtain data packets transmitted from IoT
devices and transmit the data packets to a remotely implemented
portion of the data flow management engine 404. Additionally, a
locally implemented portion of the data flow management engine 404
can obtain data packets transmitted from IoT devices and transmit
the data packets to a remotely implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 404 through VPN tunneling. Data packets
transmitted from a locally implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 404 to a remotely implemented portion of the data
flow management engine 404 can be analyzed at the remote location,
e.g. in the cloud, for use in assessing IoT device risk levels.
[0099] In a specific implementation, a remotely implemented portion
of the data flow management engine 404 functions to obtain data
packets destined to IoT devices and transmit the data packets to a
locally implemented portion of the data flow management engine 404,
for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices. A remotely
implemented portion of the data flow management engine 404 can
obtain data packets destined to IoT devices and transmit the data
packets to a locally implemented portion of the data flow
management engine 404 through VPN tunneling. Additionally, data
packets transmitted from a remotely implemented portion of the data
flow management engine 404 to a locally implemented portion of the
data flow management engine 404 can be analyzed at either or both a
remote location or a local location, for use in assessing risk
levels of IoT devices.
[0100] In the example of FIG. 4, the packet inspector engine 406 is
intended to represent an engine that functions according to an
applicable engine for sniffing packets sent to and from IoT devices
for purposes of assessing risk levels of the IoT devices, such as
the packet inspector engines described in this paper. For example,
the packet inspector engine 406 can sniff packets to determine
events occurring at IoT devices which can subsequently be used to
determine a risk level of an IoT device. In analyzing data packets,
the packet inspector engine 406 can perform deep packet inspection
on packets sent to and from IoT devices. In performing deep packet
inspection on packets sent to and from IoT devices, the packet
inspector engine 406 can determine transaction data of data
packets. Transaction data determined by the packet inspector engine
406 can be used to build, at least in part, historical records for
IoT devices. Historical records for IoT devices can be formed from
an applicable combination of event logs, system logs, and access
logs for IoT devices and used in assessing risk levels of IoT
devices.
[0101] In a specific implementation, the packet inspector engine
406 functions to identify either or both destinations and sources
of analyzed data packets. For example, the packet inspector engine
406 can determine an identification of a destination IoT device by
analyzing a data packet destined for the IoT device. In another
example, the packet inspector engine 406 can determine a source of
a data packet destined to an IoT device. Identifications of either
or both destinations and sources of analyzed data packets can be
used, along with transaction data determined from the analyzed data
packets, to generate historical records for IoT devices. The packet
inspector engine 406 can select data packets to perform deep packet
inspection on based on at least one of a source of data packets, a
destination of data packets, a data packet type of data packets,
and data within data packets. For example, all data packets from a
particular source can have deep packet inspection performed on
them.
[0102] In the example of FIG. 4, the event log management engine
408 is intended to represent an engine that functions to maintain
an event log for IoT devices for use in assessing risk levels of
IoT devices. In managing an event log, the event log management
engine 408 can create and update an event log to indicate events
occurring at an IoT device, times events occurred at the IoT
device, and destinations and sources of data traffic related to
events at an IoT device. An event log can be used to form part of a
historical record of IoT devices. In various implementations, an
event log can be used to generate a historical record specific to
an IoT device, for use in determining normal operating behavior,
e.g. regular IoT device behavior, of an IoT device. For example, an
event log can be used to establish that an IoT device usually
performs a specific function at a set time of day which can
subsequently be used to assess a risk level of the IoT device.
[0103] In a specific implementation, the event log management
engine 408 functions to maintain an event log for an IoT device
based on analysis of data packets transmitted to and from the IoT
device. In maintaining an event log based on analysis of data
packets, the event log management engine 408 can maintain an event
log based on deep packet inspection of packets transmitted to and
from an IoT device. For example, the event log management engine
408 can use transaction data identified through deep packet
inspection of data packets to determine what events are occurring
at an IoT device, e.g. through types of data transmitted from an
IoT device. Further in the example, the event log management engine
408 can update an event log to indicate what events are occurring
at an IoT device and times the events are occurring at the IoT
device.
[0104] In the example of FIG. 4, the event log datastore 410 is
intended to represent a datastore that functions to store event log
data indicating event logs for use in assessing IoT device risk
levels. Event log data stored in the event log datastore 410 can be
maintained using packet analysis of data packets transmitted to and
from IoT devices. Additionally, event log data stored in the event
log datastore 410 can be maintained using transaction data
identified through deep packet inspection of data packets
transmitted to and from the IoT devices. For example, event log
data can be generated based on a determination of events occurring
at an IoT device using transaction data identified through deep
packet inspection of data packets transferred to and from the IoT
device as part of occurrences of the events.
[0105] In an example of operation of the system shown in the
example of FIG. 4, the data flow management engine 404 obtains data
packets destined to or sent from an IoT device. In the example of
operation of the example system shown in FIG. 4, the packet
inspector engine 406 uses deep packet inspection to identify
transaction data from the obtained data packets. Further, in the
example of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 4, the
event log management engine 408 determines events occurring at the
IoT device from the transaction data and subsequently maintains an
event log, stored as event log data in the event log datastore 410,
indicating the events occurring at the IoT device and when the
events occurred at the IoT device. In the example of operation of
the example system shown in FIG. 4, the event log, stored as the
event log data in the event log datastore 410 is used in assessing
IoT device risk levels.
[0106] FIG. 5 depicts a diagram 500 of an example of a packet
analysis based IoT device vulnerability determination system 502.
The packet analysis based IoT device vulnerability determination
system 502 is intended to represent a system that functions to
determine vulnerability of IoT devices based, at least in part, on
packet inspection. The packet analysis based IoT device
vulnerability determination system 502 can be implemented as part
of an applicable system for assessing risk levels of IoT devices,
such as the IoT device risk assessment systems described in this
paper. Vulnerabilities of IoT devices determined by the packet
analysis based IoT device vulnerability determination system 502
can be used in assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0107] For example, if the packet analysis based IoT device
vulnerability determination system 502 determines that an IoT
device is vulnerable to a specific attack, then a risk level can be
assessed to the IoT device based on the determined vulnerability of
the IoT device to the specific attack.
[0108] In a specific implementation, the packet analysis based IoT
device vulnerability determination system 502 functions to be
implemented, at least in part, at a location local with respect to
IoT devices for which the packet analysis based IoT device
vulnerability determination system 502 determines vulnerabilities.
For example, the packet based analysis IoT device vulnerability
determination system 502 can be implemented, at least in part, at a
local appliance coupled to IoT devices.
[0109] In a specific implementation, the packet analysis based IoT
device vulnerability determination system 502 functions to
determine device vulnerabilities at a remote location with respect
to IoT devices. For example, the packet based IoT device
vulnerability determination system can be implemented at a remote
location from IoT devices, e.g. the cloud, and subsequently perform
vulnerability analysis at the remote location.
[0110] The packet analysis based IoT device vulnerability
determination system 502 shown in the example of FIG. 5 includes an
IoT device probing engine 504, an IoT device history datastore 506,
and a vulnerability determination engine 508. The IoT device
probing engine 504 functions to probe an IoT device for purposes of
determining vulnerability of the IoT device. Results of probing of
an IoT device by the IoT device probing engine 504 can be used to
determine a risk level of the IoT device. The IoT device probing
engine 504 can probe an IoT device by sending data packets to the
IoT device. For example, the IoT device probing engine 504 can send
a packet for gaining access to an IoT device to see if either or
both a user id and a password for accessing the IoT device has
changed. Further in the example, if the IoT device probing engine
504 fails to gain access to an IoT device with either or both a
user id and password that is associated with accessing the IoT
device, then it can be determined either or both the user id and
password for accessing the IoT device has changed. In another
example, the IoT device probing engine 504 can send a packet for
gaining access to an IoT device using either or both a default user
id and password. Further in the example, if the IoT device probing
engine 504 can gain access to the IoT device using either or both
the default user id and password, it can be determined the IoT
device is vulnerable to attacks and hacks. In various
implementations, packets communicated between the IoT device
probing engine 504 and an IoT device can be used to update event
logs, system logs, and access logs, and subsequently IoT device
historic data for the IoT device in real-time, for purposes of
assessing a risk level of the IoT device.
[0111] In a specific implementation, the IoT device probing engine
504 functions to monitor ports of an IoT device to determine device
vulnerability for purposes of assessing a risk level of the IoT
device. The IoT device probing engine 504 can send packets to an
IoT device and observe ports used by the IoT device to receive and
transmit data in response to the packets to determine vulnerability
of the IoT device. For example, the IoT device probing engine 504
can communicate with an IoT device over an incorrect or less secure
port, signifying that the IoT device is vulnerable to attack.
Additionally, the IoT device probing engine 504 can probe an IoT
device to determine a number of active or inactive ports at the IoT
device.
[0112] In a specific implementation, the IoT device probing engine
504 functions to communicate with an IoT device in simulating an
attack on the IoT device for purposes of assessing a risk level of
the IoT device. Manners in which an IoT device responds to a
simulation of an attack can be used to determine a vulnerability of
the IoT device. For example, if the IoT device probing engine 504
simulates a ping flood, and the IoT device continues to respond to
the ping flood, it can be determined that the IoT device is
vulnerable to attacks. Vulnerabilities determined based on the IoT
device probing engine 504 simulating an attack on an IoT device can
be used to assess a risk to an IoT device.
[0113] In a specific implementation, the IoT device probing engine
504 functions to actively monitor an IoT device for purposes of
assessing a risk level of the IoT device. In actively monitoring an
IoT device for purposes of assessing a risk level of the IoT
device, the IoT device probing engine 504 functions to send packets
to an IoT device to force the IoT device to respond. Traffic sent
from an IoT device in response to forcing by the IoT device probing
engine 504 can be studied to determine vulnerability of the IoT
device. For example, if an IoT device responds with information
relating to accessing the IoT device, as determined by an
applicable method, such as deep packet inspection, then it can be
determined that the IoT device is vulnerable.
[0114] In the example of FIG. 5, the IoT device history datastore
506 is intended to represent a datastore that functions to store
IoT history data indicating historical records of IoT device
operation, for use in assessing IoT device risk levels. IoT history
data can be updated in real-time to include event logs, system
logs, and access logs. For example, IoT history data stored in the
IoT device history datastore 506 can include event logs for an IoT
device that are updated in real-time as the IoT device continues to
operate. Additionally, IoT history data stored in the IoT device
history datastore 506 can be generated using packet analysis. For
example, IoT history data stored in the IoT device history
datastore 506 can be generated through analysis of headers of data
packets sent to and from IoT devices. In another example, IoT
history data stored in the IoT device history datastore 506 can be
generated from transaction data identified through deep packet
inspection of data packets sent to and from IoT devices. IoT
history data stored in the IoT device history datastore 506 can
also indicate determined vulnerabilities of IoT devices.
[0115] In the example of FIG. 5, the vulnerability determination
engine 508 is intended to represent an engine that functions to
determine vulnerabilities of IoT devices for use in assessing risk
levels of the IoT devices. The vulnerability determination engine
508 determines a vulnerability of IoT devices based on analysis of
data packets transmitted to and from IoT devices for use in
assessing risk levels of the IoT devices. For example, if an IoT
device is transmitting data packets including access credentials
for accessing the IoT device, then the vulnerability determination
engine 508 can determine the IoT device is vulnerable.
Additionally, the vulnerability determination engine 508 can assign
a vulnerability score to an IoT device indicating a vulnerability
level of the IoT device for use assessing a risk level of the IoT
device. The vulnerability determination engine 508 can assign a
vulnerability score to an IoT device based on how well an IoT
device performs according to vulnerability factors. Vulnerability
factors include applicable operational factors for determining how
vulnerable an IoT device actually is, e.g. how a device performs in
response to an attack, or whether a device is transmitting
sensitive data. For example, if an IoT device performs well against
a simulated attack but is still transmitting sensitive data, then
the vulnerability determination engine 508 can assign the IoT
device a vulnerability score of fifty, which can subsequently be
used to assess a risk level to the IoT device.
[0116] In a specific implementation, the vulnerability
determination engine 508 functions to determine a vulnerability of
an IoT device for purposes of assessing a risk level of the IoT
device based on a response by the IoT device to a simulated attack.
In determining a vulnerability of an IoT device based on a response
to a simulated attack, the vulnerability determination engine 508
can determine a vulnerability of an IoT device based on a response
to the simulated attack by analyzing either or both data packets
sent from the IoT device and traffic flow patterns from the IoT
device in response to the attack. For example, if an IoT device is
subjected to a simulated ping flood attack, the vulnerability
determination engine 508 can determine that the IoT device is
failing to handle the attack if the IoT device is continually
responding to the ping flood attack.
[0117] In a specific implementation, the vulnerability
determination engine 508 functions to determine a vulnerability of
an IoT device for purposes of assessing a risk level of the IoT
device by analyzing data traffic forced from the IoT device. Forced
traffic analyzed by the vulnerability determination engine 508 can
be forced from an IoT device by sending an active packet to the IoT
device, thereby forcing the IoT device to respond. The
vulnerability determination engine 508 can analyze headers of
forced data packets transmitted by an IoT device to determine
vulnerability of the IoT device for use in assessing a risk level
of the IoT device. Additionally, the vulnerability determination
engine 508 can use deep packet inspection to analyze forced data
packets transmitted by an IoT device to determine vulnerability of
the IoT device for use in assessing a risk level of the IoT device.
For example, the vulnerability determination engine 508 can use
deep packet inspection to identify transaction data from forced
data packets transmitted by an IoT device, and identify events from
the transaction data to determine vulnerability of the IoT device
for use in assessing a risk level for the IoT device.
[0118] In a specific implementation, the vulnerability
determination engine 508 functions to determine a vulnerability of
an IoT device for use in assessing a risk level for the IoT device
based on historical records of IoT devices. Historical records used
by the vulnerability determination engine 508 can be updated in
real-time to reflect the real-time operation of IoT devices. The
vulnerability determination engine 508 can determine vulnerability
of an IoT device based on an identification of IoT devices being
targeted, as indicated by historical records. For example, the
vulnerability determination engine 508 can determine an IoT device
is vulnerable if it is a subject of a random scan, as indicated by
historical records. Further in the example, whether the IoT device
is the subject of a random scan can be determined by the
vulnerability determination engine 508 using event logs of IoT
devices, as indicated by historical record of the IoT devices.
[0119] In a specific implementation, the vulnerability
determination engine 508 functions to determine vulnerability of an
IoT device for use in assessing a risk level for the IoT device
based on determined access credentials of the IoT device. Access
credentials of an IoT device can be determined by probing the IoT
device with data packets. For example, it can be determined if an
IoT device is using default access credentials, e.g. a default user
id and password, for providing access to the IoT device by sending
data packets utilizing the default access credentials to the IoT
device to gain access. Further, the vulnerability determination
engine 508 can determine that an IoT device is vulnerable for
purposes of assessing a risk level of the IoT device if it
determines the IoT device is granting access through default access
credentials.
[0120] In an example of operation of the system shown in the
example of FIG. 5, the IoT device probing engine 504 probes an IoT
device by sending data packets to the IoT device. In the example of
operation the vulnerability determination engine 508 determines a
vulnerability of the IoT device based on a response of the IoT
device to the probing by the IoT device probing engine 504.
Further, in the example of operation of the example system shown in
FIG. 5, the IoT device history datastore 506 stores IoT history
data indicating historical records of a plurality of IoT devices
including the IoT device. In the example of operation of the
example system shown in FIG. 5, the vulnerability determination
engine 508 determines vulnerability of the IoT device based on the
historical records indicated by IoT history data stored in the IoT
device history datastore 506. In the example of operation of the
example system shown in FIG. 5, the vulnerability of the IoT device
determined by the vulnerability determination engine is used to
assess a risk level of the IoT device.
[0121] FIG. 6 depicts a diagram 600 of an example of a packet
analysis based IoT device profiling system 602. The packet analysis
based IoT device profiling system 602 is intended to represent a
system that functions to profile IoT devices based, at least in
part, on packet inspection. Device profiles generated by the packet
analysis based IoT device profiling system 602 can be used in
assessing IoT device risk levels. The packet analysis based IoT
device profiling system 602 can be implemented as part of an
applicable system for assessing risk levels of IoT devices, such as
the IoT device risk assessment systems described in this paper.
Device profiles created by the packet analysis based IoT device
profiling system 602 can be used in assessing risk levels of IoT
devices. Device profiles of IoT devices created by the packet
analysis based IoT device profiling system 602 can be used to
assess risk levels of IoT devices by an outside/third party IoT
management entity.
[0122] In a specific implementation, the packet analysis based IoT
device profiling system 602 functions to be implemented, at least
in part, at a location local with respect to IoT devices. The
packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 602 can be
implemented, at least in part, at a local location with respect to
IoT devices profiled by the packet analysis based IoT device
profiling system 602. For example, the packet analysis based IoT
device profiling system 602 can be implemented, at least in part,
at a local appliance coupled to IoT devices. Alternatively, in
another implementation, the packet analysis based IoT device
profiling system 602 can profile devices at a remote location with
respect to IoT devices, e.g. the cloud.
[0123] The packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 602
shown in the example of FIG. 6 includes an IoT history datastore
604, an IoT device clustering engine 606, an IoT device profiling
engine 608, and a device profile datastore 610. The IoT history
datastore 604 is intended to represent a datastore that functions
to store IoT history data, such as the IoT history datastores
described in this paper. IoT history data stored in the IoT history
datastore 604 can be updated in real-time to include event logs,
system logs, and access logs. For example, IoT history data stored
in the IoT history datastore 604 can include event logs for an IoT
device that are updated in real-time as the IoT device continues to
operate. In various implementations, IoT history data stored in the
IoT history datastore 604 can be generated using packet analysis.
For example, IoT history data stored in the IoT history datastore
604 can be generated through packet analysis, e.g. analyzing
headers of data packets sent to and from IoT devices. Additionally,
IoT history data stored in the IoT history datastore 604 can be
generated through deep packet inspection of data packets sent to
and from IoT devices. For example, IoT history data stored in the
IoT history datastore 604 can be generated from transaction data
identified through deep packet inspection of data packets sent to
and from IoT devices. IoT history data stored in the IoT history
datastore 604 can be used in assessing risk levels of IoT
devices.
[0124] In the example of FIG. 6, the IoT device clustering engine
606 is intended to represent an engine that functions to cluster
IoT devices for purposes of profiling the IoT devices for use in
assessing risk levels of IoT devices. In clustering IoT devices,
the IoT device clustering engine 606 can aid a profiling mechanism
in creating a detailed profile for IoT devices. The IoT device
clustering engine 606 can cluster IoT devices based on clustering
factors. Clustering factors include applicable factors related to
characteristics of IoT devices and characteristics of operation of
IoT devices for use in grouping IoT devices. Example clustering
factors include device types, attributes of IoT devices,
functionalities of IoT device, operating systems and applications
executing at or capable of being executed at IoT devices, entities
associated with IoT devices, users who interact with IoT devices,
and hosts and devices with which the IoT devices communicate. For
example, the IoT device clustering engine 606 can cluster IoT
devices accessing network services through a home LAN into a single
cluster.
[0125] In a specific implementation, the IoT device clustering
engine 606 functions to receive new clustering factors and
subsequently cluster the devices according to the new clustering
factors for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices. For
example, the IoT device clustering engine 606 can receive
information indicating either or both a new IoT device and IoT
device type and subsequently cluster IoT devices according to
either or both the new IoT device and IoT device type. In
clustering IoT devices according to new clustering factors, the IoT
device clustering engine 606 can provide an interface through which
an applicable entity, e.g. an administrator, can manually input the
new clustering factors.
[0126] In the example of FIG. 6, the IoT device profiling engine
608 is intended to represent an engine that functions to generate
device profiles for IoT devices for use in assessing risk levels of
IoT devices. The IoT device profiling engine 608 can create
profiles for a specific IoT device or for a cluster of IoT devices.
For example, the IoT device profiling engine 608 can create a
profile for a single IoT device accessing services through a
specific LAN and for a plurality of IoT devices accessing network
services through the LAN. A device profile generated by the IoT
device profiling engine 608 can include a device map. A device map
includes a map showing systems and devices with which an IoT device
communicates. For example, a device map can include other IoT
devices with which an IoT device communicates. In another example,
a device map can include hosts an IoT device is communicating with
through the Internet. Additionally, the IoT device profiling engine
608 can generate profiles for IoT devices that are specific to a
time of year. For example, the IoT device profiling engine 608 can
model profiles of a thermostat for summer and winter months based
on changing operation of the thermostat during summer and winter
months. The IoT device profiling engine 608 can use machine
learning to improve its models used in profiling devices over time
as it continues to profile IoT device.
[0127] In a specific implementation, the IoT device profiling
engine 608 functions to generate device profiles for IoT devices
that include instances of the IoT devices for use in assessing risk
levels of IoT devices. For example, if at a specific time an IoT
device is communicating externally with a remote host as part of an
inbound communication session, then the IoT device profiling engine
608 can create an instance for the IoT device, included as part of
a device profile, to indicate the IoT device was communicating
externally with the remote host as part of the inbound
communication session at the specific time. In another example, if
at a specific time an IoT device is utilizing a specific number of
ports in accessing network services, then the IoT device profiling
engine 608 can create an instance for the IoT device, included as
part of a device profile, to indicate the IoT device was utilizing
the specific number of ports at the specific time to access network
services.
[0128] In a specific implementation, the IoT device profiling
engine 608 functions to generate IoT device profiles based, at
least in part, on IoT historical records for use in assessing risk
levels of IoT devices. In generating device profiles based on IoT
historical records, the IoT device profiling engine 608 can
generate an IoT device profile based, at least in part, on an event
log included as part of IoT historical records. For example, the
IoT device profiling engine 608 can generate an IoT device profile,
using an event log, to indicate how an IoT device operates.
Additionally, in generating device profiles based on IoT historical
records, the IoT device profiling engine 608 can generate an IoT
device profile based, at least in part, on an access log included
as part of IoT historical records. For example, the IoT device
profiling engine 608 can generate an IoT device profile, using an
access log, to indicate how a specific user interacts with an IoT
device as part of operation of the IoT device. Further, in
generating device profiles based on IoT historical records, the IoT
device profiling engine 608 can generate an IoT device profile
based, at least in part, on a system log included as part of IoT
historical records. For example, the IoT device profiling engine
608 can generate an IoT device profile, using a system log, to
indicate an identification of an IoT device and applications
executing at the IoT device.
[0129] In a specific implementation, the IoT device profiling
engine 608 can generate IoT device profiles based, at least in
part, on determined vulnerabilities of IoT devices for use in
assessing risk levels of IoT devices. The IoT device profiling
engine 608 can generate IoT device profiles based, at least in
part, on vulnerabilities of IoT devices determined by an applicable
system for determining IoT device vulnerabilities, such as the
packet analysis based IoT device vulnerability determination
systems described in this paper. In generating device profiles
based on determined vulnerabilities of IoT devices, the IoT device
profiling engine 608 can generate IoT device profiles based on
vulnerabilities determined from active probing of IoT devices. For
example, if an IoT device performs poorly in response to a
simulated attack, then the IoT device profiling engine 608 can
generate a device profile for the IoT device indicating that the
IoT device is vulnerable to the attack. Additionally, the IoT
device profiling engine 608 can generate IoT device profiles based
on determined vulnerabilities of IoT devices using historical
records of the IoT devices. For example, if historical records,
e.g. event logs, indicate that an IoT device is the subject of a
random scanning by a user, then the IoT device profiling engine 608
can generate an IoT device profile for the IoT device indicating
that it has been the subject of random scanning, and thus
vulnerable.
[0130] In a specific implementation, the IoT device profiling
engine 608 can model regular IoT device behaviors, as included as
part of device profiles of the IoT devices, for use in assessing
risk levels of IoT devices. The IoT device profiling engine 608 can
model regular IoT device behavior of IoT devices based on
historical records of IoT devices. An example of the IoT device
profiling engine 608 modeling regular IoT device behavior is if a
thermostat raises the temperature at five in the evening every day,
as indicated by an events log for the thermostat, then the IoT
device profiling engine 608 can model regular IoT device behavior
of the IoT device to indicate raising of the temperature at five in
the evening every day. The IoT device profiling engine 608 can
model regular IoT device behavior of an IoT device specific to a
user. For example, if a user interacts with a device in a similar
fashion repeatedly, then the IoT device profiling engine 608 can
model a regular IoT device behavior specific to the user to
indicate the repeated interactions between the user and the IoT
device.
[0131] In a specific implementation, the IoT device profiling
engine 608 functions to provide device profiles to an interface for
presentation. The IoT device profiling engine 608 can provide the
device profiles to an interface in a format that is readable to a
human. For example, the IoT device profiling engine 608 can provide
device maps illustrating hosts and devices an IoT device interacts
with in a format a human is capable of reading or otherwise
perceiving.
[0132] In a specific implementation, the IoT device profiling
engine 608 functions to map an IoT device to a new device profile
or otherwise create a new device profile for an IoT device. The IoT
device profiling engine 608 can match an IoT device to a new device
profile or otherwise create a new device profile for the IoT device
based on deviations from regular device behavior in operation of
the IoT device. For example, if an IoT device continues to deviate
further away from regular device behavior, then the IoT device
profiling engine can map the IoT device to a new device profile or
otherwise create a new device profile for the IoT device.
[0133] In a specific implementation, the IoT device profiling
engine 608 can match an IoT device to a new device profile or
otherwise create a new device profile for the IoT device based on
instances of the IoT device. In matching an IoT device to a new
device profile based on instances of the IoT device, the IoT device
profiling engine 608 can determine whether to actually match the
IoT device to a new device profile using the instances of the IoT
device. For example, if instances of an IoT device indicate the IoT
device is continuing to deviate from regular IoT device behavior of
the IoT device, then the IoT device profiling engine 608 can
determine to match the IoT device to a new device profile or create
a new device profile for the IoT device. Additionally, in matching
an IoT device to a new device profile based on instances of the IoT
device, the IoT device profiling engine 608 can determine a new
device profile to match to the IoT device or otherwise create for
the new IoT device. For example, if an instance of an IoT device
indicates an IoT device is of a specific type, then the IoT device
profiling engine 608 can match the IoT device to an IoT device
profile of an IoT device of the same type. In another example, the
IoT device profiling engine 608 can generate a new IoT device
profile for an IoT device based on characteristics of the IoT
device, as indicated by instances, before the IoT device began to
deviate from regular IoT device behavior.
[0134] In the example of FIG. 6, the device profile datastore 610
is intended to represent a datastore that functions to store device
profile data indicating device profiles of IoT devices for use in
assessing risk levels of IoT devices. Device profiles indicated by
device profile data stored in the device profile datastore 610 can
be generated from historical records of IoT devices. Device profile
data stored in the device profile datastore 610 can include device
profiles indicating one or an applicable combination of instances
of IoT devices, vulnerabilities of IoT devices, device maps of IoT
devices, and regular IoT device behaviors.
[0135] In an example of operation of the system shown in the
example of FIG. 6, the IoT history datastore 604 stores IoT history
data indicating historical records of IoT devices. In the example
of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 6, the IoT device
clustering engine 606 clusters IoT devices into clusters based on
the historical records of the IoT devices indicated by IoT history
data stored in the IoT history datastore 604. Further, in the
example of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 6, the IoT
device profiling engine 608 profiles the IoT devices according to
the clusters into device profiles using the historical records of
the IoT devices indicated by IoT history data stored in the IoT
history datastore 604. In the example of operation of the example
system shown in FIG. 6, the device profile datastore stores device
profile data indicating device profiles determined by the IoT
device profiling engine 608. Additionally, in the example of
operation of the example system shown in FIG. 6, device profiles
indicated by device profile data stored in the device profile
datastore 610 are used in assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0136] FIG. 7 depicts a diagram 700 of an example of a packet
analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 702. The packet
analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 702 can be
implemented as part of an applicable system for assessing risk
levels of IoT devices, such as the IoT device risk assessment
systems described in this paper. The packet analysis based IoT
device risk assessment system 702 is intended to represent a system
that functions to assess risk levels of IoT devices. The packet
analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 702 can determine
risk levels of IoT devices based on characteristics of IoT devices,
as indicated by IoT device profiles. Specifically, the packet
analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 702 can determine
risk levels of IoT devices based on characteristics of an IoT
device itself and characteristics of an IoT device in operation.
For example, the Packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment
system 702 can determine a risk level of an IoT device based on a
device type of the IoT device. In another example, the packet
analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 702 can determine
a risk level of an IoT device based on characteristics of the IoT
device in accessing network services, as indicated through
inspection of data packets transmitted to and from the IoT device
as part of the IoT device accessing network services.
[0137] In a specific implementation, the packet analysis based IoT
device risk assessment system 702 functions to analyze risk factors
of IoT devices using device profiles to assess risk levels of IoT
devices. In analyzing risk factors of IoT devices to using device
profiles to assess risk levels of IoT devices, the packet analysis
based IoT device risk assessment system 702 can apply assessment
weights IoT device risk factors of IoT devices, as indicated by
corresponding device profiles. For example, if an IoT device is of
a specific type and is communicating using a specific number of
ports, then the packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment
system 702 can apply assessment weights to the factors indicating
the IoT device is of a specific type and is communicating using a
specific number of ports to determine a risk level of the IoT
device. In another example, if an IoT device is communicating
externally with a remote host through an inbound communication
session, then the packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment
system 702, can apply assessment weights to the factors that the
device is communicating externally with a remote host through an
inbound communication session to determine a risk level of the IoT
device.
[0138] The example packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment
system 702 shown in the example of FIG. 7 includes an assessment
weight variance management engine 704, an assessment weight
datastore 706, a device profile datastore 708, an IoT device
behavior deviation determination engine 710, an IoT device risk
factor analysis engine 712, a risk assessment datastore 714, and an
IoT device risk presentation engine 716. The assessment weight
variance management engine 704 is intended to represent an engine
that functions to manage assessment weights for application to IoT
device risk factors in assessing IoT device risk levels. In
managing assessment weights, the assessment weight variance
management engine 704 can assign specific assessment weights to
specific risk factors. For example, the assessment weight variance
management engine 704 can assign an assessment weight of 10% to IoT
device risk factors related to protocols used by an IoT device in
accessing network services. The assessment weight variance
management engine 704 can assign specific assessment weights to
specific risk factors at varying levels of granularity.
Specifically, the assessment weight variance management engine 704
can assign specific assessment weights to specific risk factors on
one or an applicable combination of a per-device basis, a
per-device type basis, a per-network basis, or other applicable
per-IoT device characteristic basis. For example, the assessment
weight variance management engine 704 can assign the same specific
assessment weights to specific risk factors for a single IoT device
or for all IoT devices of the same type. In another example, the
assessment weight variance management engine 704 can assign the
same specific assessment weights to IoT devices accessing network
services through a specific LAN.
[0139] In a specific implementation, the assessment weight variance
management engine 704 functions to assign specific assessment
weights to IoT device risk factors based on characteristics of a
network. In assigning specific assessment weights to IoT device
risk factors based on characteristics of a network, assessment
weights assigned to specific risk factors can vary between IoT
devices. Specifically, assessment weights assigned to specific risk
factors by the assessment weight variance management engine 704 can
vary between IoT device, IoT devices of different types, IoT
devices accessing network services through different networks, and
IoT devices distinguished from each other based on an applicable
IoT device characteristic, e.g. a characteristic of the IoT device
itself or a characteristics of the IoT device in operation. For
example, an IoT device communicating externally with a remote host
can have a different assessment weight assigned to risk related to
network communication characteristics than another IoT device
communicating internally with a local IoT device through a LAN.
[0140] In a specific implementation, the assessment weight variance
management engine 704 functions to set assessment weights based on
characteristics of a user associated with IoT devices or input from
a user associated with IoT devices. In adjusting assessment weights
based on input of a user, the assessment weight variance management
engine 704 can set assessment weights according to the input
received from the user. For example, a user can specify setting
adjustment weights for IoT device risk factors related to network
activeness to 50%, and the assessment weight variance management
engine 704 can subsequently set adjustment weights applied to IoT
device risk factors related to network activeness at 50%. Further,
in adjusting assessment weights based on characteristics of a user,
the assessment weight variance management engine 704 can set
adjustment weights based on tolerances of a user; such tolerances
of the user can be intentional or unintentional.
[0141] In the example of FIG. 7, the assessment weight datastore
706 is intended to represent a datastore that functions to store
assessment weight data. Assessment weight data stored in the
assessment weight datastore 706 includes applicable data used in
applying assessment weights to IoT device risk factors of IoT
devices for assessing risk levels of the IoT devices. Example
assessment weight data stored in the assessment weight datastore
706 can indicate specific assessment weights to apply to specific
risk factors of specific IoT devices. For example, assessment
weight data stored in the assessment weight datastore 706 can
indicate applying an assessment weight of 20% to IoT device risk
factors related to network communication characteristics of IoT
devices accessing network services through a specific LAN. In
another example, assessment weight data stored in the assessment
weight datastore 706 can indicate applying an assessment weight of
50% to IoT device risk factors related to operation performance
deviations of IoT devices of a specific type.
[0142] In the example of FIG. 7, the device profile datastore 708
is intended to represent a datastore that functions to store data
associated with device profiles. Device profile data stored in the
device profile datastore 708 can be used to assess risk levels of
IoT devices. For example, device profiles represented by device
profile data stored in the device profile datastore 708 can include
or otherwise be used to extract specific risk factors of IoT
devices to which assessment weights can be applied for determining
risk levels of IoT devices.
[0143] In the example of FIG. 7, the IoT device behavior deviation
determination engine 710 is intended to represent an engine that
functions to determine operational performance deviations of an IoT
device with respect to regular IoT device behaviors. In determining
operational performance deviations of an IoT device, the IoT device
behavior deviation determination engine 710 can determine if an IoT
device is deviating in operation with respect to a regular IoT
device behaviors and how an IoT device is operating to deviate from
the regular IoT device behaviors. For example, the IoT device
behavior deviation determination engine 710 can determine an IoT
device is actually deviating from regular IoT device behaviors if
it begins communicating with a new external host. Further in the
example, the IoT device behavior deviation determination engine 710
can determine how the IoT device is deviating from the regular IoT
device behaviors by determining the IoT device is communicating
with the new external host.
[0144] In a specific implementation, the IoT device behavior
deviation determination engine 710 can determine operational
performance deviations of an IoT device using device profiles. In
determining operational performance deviations of an IoT device
using device profiles, the IoT device behavior deviation
determination engine 710 can determine the operational performance
deviations of the IoT device by comparing or tracking instances of
an IoT device, included as part of a device profile of the IoT
device. For example, if previous instances of an IoT device
indicate an IoT device was operating in a specific way, and current
instances of the IoT device indicate the IoT device is continuing
to operate in a different way, then the IoT device behavior
deviation determination engine 710 can determine the IoT device is
deviating in operation from regular IoT device behavior.
Additionally, in determining operational performance deviations of
an IoT device using device profiles, the IoT device behavior
deviation determination engine 710 can determine the operational
performance deviations based on device profiles of different
devices. For example, if a device profiles of IoT devices within a
LAN indicate the IoT devices are operating in a specific way, and a
device profile of another IoT device within the LAN indicates the
another IoT device is operating in a different way, then the IoT
device behavior deviation determination engine 710 can determine
the another device is deviating in operating according to regular
IoT device behaviors.
[0145] In the example of FIG. 7, the IoT device risk factor
analysis engine 712 is intended to represent an engine that
functions to determine risk levels of IoT devices. In determining
risk levels of IoT devices, the IoT device risk factor analysis
engine 712 can apply assessment weights to IoT device risk factors.
Further, in determining risk levels of IoT devices, the IoT device
risk factor analysis engine 712 can apply assessment weights to IoT
device risk factors to assess a risk score for the IoT devices and
subsequently use the determined risk scores to categorize the IoT
devices into different risk levels. For example the IoT device risk
factor analysis engine 712 can apply an assessment weight of 20% to
IoT device risk factors related to applications used by an IoT
device in accessing network services to determine a risk score of
80 the IoT device. Further in the example, the IoT device risk
factor analysis engine 712 can assess a risk level of high risk to
the IoT device based on the determined risk score of 80.
[0146] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk factor
analysis engine 712 functions to select specific assessment weights
to apply in determining risk levels of IoT devices. The IoT device
risk factor analysis engine 712 can select specific assessment
weights to apply using assessment weight data. For example if
assessment weight data indicates to apply specific assessment
weights to specific IoT device risk factors for use in determining
risk levels of specific IoT devices, then the IoT device risk
factor analysis engine 712 can specifiy the specific assessment
weights for application to the specific IoT device risk
factors.
[0147] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk factor
analysis engine 712 functions to extract or otherwise determine IoT
device risk factors to apply assessment weights to in assessing
risk levels of IoT devices. The IoT device risk factor analysis
engine 712 can extract IoT device risk factors to apply assessment
weights to using device profiles of IoT devices. For example, if an
instance included in a device profile indicates an IoT device is
communicating using four ports, then the IoT device risk factor
analysis engine 712 can determine that the IoT device is
communicating using four ports as part of extracting IoT device
risk factors for the IoT device. Additionally, the IoT device risk
factor analysis engine 712 can extract IoT device risk factors
using determined operational performance deviations. For example,
if operational performance deviations indicate an IoT device is
greatly deviating from operating according to regular IoT device
behavior, then the IoT device risk factor analysis engine 712 can
determine that the IoT device is greatly deviating in operation as
part of extracting IoT device risk factors related to operation
performance deviation of the IoT device. As operational performance
deviations can be determined from device profiles, in extracting
IoT device risk factors from determined operational performance
deviations, the IoT device risk factor analysis engine 712 can
function to extract risk factors from device profiles when
extracting risk factors from determined operational performance
deviations. The IoT device risk factor analysis engine 712 can
apply assessment weights to extracted IoT device risk factors for
determining a risk score for the IoT device.
[0148] In the example of FIG. 7, the risk assessment datastore 714
is intended to represent a datastore that functions to store risk
assessment data. Risk assessment data stored in the risk assessment
datastore 714 can include one or an applicable combination of
extracted IoT device risk factors of IoT devices, assessment
weights used in generating risk scores of IoT devices, actual
assessed risk scores of IoT devices, and actual assess risk levels
of IoT devices. Risk assessment data stored in the risk assessment
datastore 714 can be presented to a user associated with IoT
devices for use in monitoring security in a network including IoT
devices.
[0149] In the example of FIG. 7, the IoT device risk presentation
engine 716 is intended to represent an engine that functions to
present or otherwise facilitate presentation of risk assessment
data to a user. In presenting risk assessment data to a user, the
IoT device risk presentation engine 716 can determine specific risk
assessment data to present to a user and subsequently present the
specific risk assessment data to the user. For example, if user
preferences indicate a user only wants to see assessed risk levels
of their IoT devices, then the IoT device risk presentation engine
716 can only present the assessed risk levels of the IoT devices to
the user. Further, in presenting risk assessment data to a user,
the IoT device risk presentation engine 716, can determine when to
present risk assessment data to a user. For example, the IoT device
risk presentation engine 716 can determine to present risk
assessment data to a user when a number of IoT devices greater than
a threshold number have been assessed a high risk level.
[0150] In an example of operation of the system shown in the
example of FIG. 7, the assessment weight variance management engine
704 updates assessment weight data stored in the assessment weight
datastore 706 to indicate specific assessment weights to apply to
specific IoT device risk factors based on a network. In the example
of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 7, the device
profile datastore 708 stores device profile data indicating device
profiles of IoT devices. Further, in the example of operation of
the example system shown in FIG. 7, the IoT device behavior
deviation determination engine 710 determines operational
performance deviations of the IoT devices from a regular IoT device
behavior based on the device profile data stored in the device
profile datastore 708.
[0151] In the example of operation of the system shown in the
example of FIG. 7, the IoT device risk factor analysis engine
extracts IoT device risk factors based on device profile data
stored in the device profile datastore 708 and selects specific
assessment weights to apply to the extracted IoT device risk
factors using the assessment weight data stored in the assessment
weight datastore 706. Additionally, in the example of operation of
the example system shown in FIG. 7 the IoT device risk factor
analysis engine 712 assess risk levels of the IoT devices by
applying the specific assessment weights to the extracted IoT
device risk factors. In the example of operation of the example
system shown in FIG. 7, the IoT device risk factor analysis engine
712 updates risk assessment data stored in the risk assessment
datastore 714 to indicate the assessed risk levels of the IoT
devices. Additionally, in the example of operation of the example
system shown in FIG. 7, the IoT device risk presentation engine 716
presents risk assessment data stored in the risk assessment
datastore 714, including the assessed risk levels of the IoT
devices to a user associated with the IoT devices.
[0152] FIG. 8 depicts a diagram 800 of an example of a system for
assessing risk levels of IoT devices. The system shown in the
example of FIG. 8 includes a local network 802, a cloud 804, and a
third party cloud 806. The local network 802 is intended to
represent a network formed by at least one IoT device and a local
appliance.
[0153] In the example of FIG. 8, the local network 802 includes an
IoT device risk assessment system 808. The IoT device risk
assessment system 808 is intended to represent a system that
functions to analyze data packets for managing assessment of risk
levels of IoT devices, such as the IoT device risk assessment
systems described in this paper.
[0154] The IoT device risk assessment system 808 includes
applicable systems for managing event logs, access logs, and system
logs of IoT devices through packet analysis, such as the packet
analysis based access log management systems, the packet analysis
based system log management systems, and packet analysis based
event log management systems described in this paper. In the
example system shown in FIG. 8, the applicable systems of the IoT
device risk assessment system 808 for managing event logs, access
logs, and system logs of IoT devices through packet analysis are
implemented at the local network 802 as part of a local appliance.
In being implemented as part of a local appliance, the IoT device
risk assessment system 808 can analyze packets locally for purposes
of maintaining access logs, system logs, and event logs for use in
assessing risk levels of IoT devices.
[0155] In the example system shown in FIG. 8, the cloud 804
includes a packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 810
and a packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 812.
The packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 810 is
intended to represent a system that functions to maintain IoT
device profiles for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices,
such as the packet analysis based IoT device profiling systems
described in this paper. The packet analysis based IoT device risk
assessment system 812 is intended to represent a system that
functions to apply assessment weights to IoT device risk factors
extracted from device profiles for purposes of assessing risk
levels of IoT devices, such as the packet analysis based IoT device
risk assessment systems described in this paper. Additionally, the
cloud 804 can include an applicable system for determining IoT
device vulnerabilities, such as the packet based IoT device
vulnerability determination systems described in this paper. The
cloud 804 can be specific to a private entity. The packet analysis
based IoT device profiling system 810 can receive one or an
applicable combination of event logs, access logs, and system logs
in real-time as they are updated, through VPN tunnels from the IoT
device risk assessment system 808 implemented at the local network
802. The packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 810 can
use one or an applicable combination of received event logs, access
logs, and system logs to profile IoT device into device
profiles.
[0156] In the example system shown in FIG. 8, the third party cloud
806 is intended to represent a cloud that receives device profile
data indicating device profiles of IoT devices through VPN tunnels.
The third party cloud 806 receives profile data indicating device
profiles of IoT devices through VPN tunnels from the packet
analysis based IoT device profiling system 810 implemented at the
cloud 804. Additionally, the third party cloud 806 can receive risk
assessment data through VPN tunnels from the packet analysis based
IoT device risk assessment system 812. The third party cloud 806
can be associated with or used by a third party management system
for managing IoT devices.
[0157] FIG. 9 depicts a diagram 900 of another example of a system
for assessing risk levels of IoT devices. The system shown in the
example of FIG. 9 includes a local network 902, a third party cloud
904, and a cloud 906. The local network 902 is intended to
represent a network formed by at least one IoT device and a local
appliance. The local network 902 includes an IoT device risk
assessment system 908. The IoT device risk assessment system 908 is
intended to represent a system that functions according to an
applicable system for managing assessment of risk levels of IoT
devices, such as the IoT device risk assessment systems described
in this paper.
[0158] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 908 includes applicable systems for managing event logs,
access logs, and system logs of IoT devices through packet
analysis, such as the packet analysis based access log management
systems, the packet analysis based system log management systems,
and packet analysis based event log management systems described in
this paper. In the example system shown in FIG. 9, the applicable
systems of the IoT device risk assessment system 908 for managing
event logs, access logs, and system logs of IoT devices through
packet analysis are implemented at the local network 902 as part of
a local appliance. In being implemented as part of a local
appliance, the IoT device risk assessment system 908 can analyze
packets locally for purposes of maintaining access logs, system
logs, and event logs for use in assessing risk levels of IoT
devices.
[0159] In the system shown in the example of FIG. 9, the third
party cloud 904 receives applicable data for profiling IoT devices
for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices, such as one or an
applicable combination of event logs, access logs, and system logs
through VPN tunnels from the IoT device risk assessment system 908
implemented at the local network 902. The third party cloud 904 can
be associated with or used by a third party management system for
managing IoT devices.
[0160] In the example system shown in FIG. 9, the cloud 906
includes a packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 910
and a packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 912.
The packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 910 is
intended to represent a system that functions to maintain IoT
device profiles for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices,
such as the packet analysis based IoT device profiling systems
described in this paper. The packet analysis based IoT device risk
assessment system 912 is intended to represent a system that
functions to apply assessment weights to IoT device risk factors
extracted from device profiles for purposes of assessing risk
levels of IoT devices, such as the packet analysis based IoT device
risk assessment systems described in this paper. Additionally, the
cloud 906 can include an applicable system for determining IoT
device vulnerabilities, such as the packet based IoT device
vulnerability determination systems described in this paper. The
packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 910 can receive
one or an applicable combination of event logs, access logs, and
system logs in real-time as they are updated, through VPN tunnels
from the third party cloud 904, which are received at the third
party cloud 904 from the IoT device risk assessment system 908
implemented at the local network 902.
[0161] In a specific implementation, the packet analysis based IoT
device profiling system 910 uses one or an applicable combination
of received event logs, access logs, and system logs to profile IoT
device into device profiles. The packet analysis based IoT device
risk assessment system 912 can use device profiles managed by the
packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 910 to assess
risk levels of IoT devices. The packet analysis based IoT device
profiling system 910 can send generated device profiles back to the
third party cloud 904 through VPN tunnels. The packet analysis
based IoT device risk assessment system 912 can send generated risk
assessment data back to the third party cloud 904 through VPN
tunnels. The third party cloud 904 can use either or both device
profiles received from the packet analysis based IoT device
profiling system 910 and risk assessment data received from the
packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 912 to
manage IoT devices in the local network 902.
[0162] FIG. 10 depicts a diagram 1000 of an example of another
system for assessing risk levels of IoT devices. The system shown
in the example of FIG. 10 includes a local network 1002, a cloud
1004, and a third party cloud 1006. The local network 1002 is
intended to represent a network formed by at least one IoT device
and a local appliance. The local network 1002 includes an IoT
device risk assessment system 1008. The IoT device risk assessment
system 1008 is intended to represent a system that functions to
analyze data packets for managing assessment of risk levels of IoT
devices, such as the IoT device risk assessment systems described
in this paper.
[0163] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 1008 includes applicable systems for managing event logs,
access logs, and system logs of IoT devices through packet
analysis, such as the packet analysis based access log management
systems, the packet analysis based system log management systems,
and packet analysis based event log management systems described in
this paper. In the example system shown in FIG. 10, the applicable
systems of the IoT device risk assessment system 1008 for managing
event logs, access logs, and system logs of IoT devices through
packet analysis are implemented at the local network 1002 as part
of a local appliance. In being implemented as part of a local
appliance, the IoT device risk assessment system 1008 can analyze
packets locally for purposes of maintaining access logs, system
logs, and event logs for use in assessing risk levels of IoT
devices.
[0164] In the example system shown in FIG. 10, the cloud 1004
includes a packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 1010
and a packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 1012.
The packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 1010 is
intended to represent a system that functions to maintain IoT
device profiles for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices,
such as the packet analysis based IoT device profiling systems
described in this paper. The packet analysis based IoT device risk
assessment system 1012 is intended to represent a system that
functions to apply assessment weights to IoT device risk factors
extracted from device profiles for purposes of assessing risk
levels of IoT devices, such as the packet analysis based IoT device
risk assessment systems described in this paper. Additionally, the
cloud 1004 can include an applicable system for determining IoT
device vulnerabilities, such as the packet based IoT device
vulnerability determination systems described in this paper. The
cloud 1004 can be specific to a private entity. The packet analysis
based IoT device profiling system 1010 can receive one or an
applicable combination of event logs, access logs, and system logs
in real-time as they are updated, through traditional network
channels, e.g. using protocols of a network through which the data
is being transmitted without the use of VPN tunneling, from the IoT
device risk assessment system 1008 implemented at the local network
1002. The packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 1010
can use one or an applicable combination of received event logs,
access logs, and system logs to profile IoT device into device
profiles.
[0165] In the system shown in the example of FIG. 10, the third
party cloud 1006 is intended to represent a network that receives
device profile data indicating device profiles of IoT devices
without the use of VPN tunnels. The third party cloud 1006 receives
profile data indicating device profiles of IoT devices, through
traditional network channels, e.g. using protocols of a network
through which the data is being transmitted without the use of VPN
tunneling, from the packet analysis based IoT device profiling
system 1010 implemented at the cloud 1004. Additionally, the third
party cloud 1006 can receive risk assessment data, through
traditional network channels, e.g. using protocols of a network
through which the data is being transmitted without the use of VPN
tunneling, from the packet analysis based IoT device risk
assessment system 1012. The third party cloud 1006 can be
associated with or used by a third party management system for
managing IoT devices.
[0166] FIG. 11 depicts a diagram 1100 of another example of a
system for assessing risk levels of IoT devices. The example system
shown in FIG. 11 includes a local network 1102, a third party cloud
1104, and a cloud 1106. The local network 1102 is intended to
represent a network that is formed by at least one IoT device and a
local appliance. The local network 1102 includes an IoT device risk
assessment system 1108.
[0167] In the example of FIG. 11, the IoT device risk assessment
system 1108 is intended to represent a system that functions to
manage assessment of risk levels of IoT devices. The IoT device
risk assessment system 1108 includes applicable systems for
managing event logs, access logs, and system logs of IoT devices
through packet analysis, such as the packet analysis based access
log management systems, the packet analysis based system log
management systems, and packet analysis based event log management
systems described in this paper. In the example system shown in
FIG. 11, the applicable systems of the IoT device risk assessment
system 1108 for managing event logs, access logs, and system logs
of IoT devices through packet analysis are implemented at the local
network 1102 as part of a local appliance. In being implemented as
part of a local appliance, the IoT device risk assessment system
1108 can analyze packets locally for purposes of maintaining access
logs, system logs, and event logs for use in assessing risk levels
of IoT devices.
[0168] In the system shown in the example of FIG. 11, the third
party cloud 1104 is intended to represent a network that receives
applicable data for profiling IoT devices for use in assessing risk
levels of IoT devices, such as one or an applicable combination of
event logs, access logs, and system logs, through traditional
network channels, e.g. using protocols of a network through which
the data is being transmitted without the use of VPN tunneling,
from the IoT device risk assessment system 1108 implemented at the
local network 1102. The third party cloud 1104 can be associated
with or used by a third party management system for managing IoT
devices.
[0169] In the system shown in the example of FIG. 11, the cloud
1106 includes a packet analysis based IoT device profiling system
1110 and a packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment system
1112. The packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 1110 is
intended to represent a system that functions to maintain IoT
device profiles for use in assessing risk levels of IoT devices,
such as the packet analysis based IoT device profiling systems
described in this paper. The packet analysis based IoT device risk
assessment system 1112 is intended to represent a system that
functions to apply assessment weights to IoT device risk factors
extracted from device profiles for purposes of assessing risk
levels of IoT devices, such as the packet analysis based IoT device
risk assessment systems described in this paper. Additionally, the
cloud 1106 can include an applicable system for determining IoT
device vulnerabilities, such as the packet based IoT device
vulnerability determination systems described in this paper. The
packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 1110 can receive
an applicable combination of event logs, access logs, and system
logs in real-time as they are updated, through traditional network
channels, e.g. using protocols of a network through which the data
is being transmitted without the use of VPN tunneling, from the
third party cloud 1104, which are received at the third party cloud
1104 from the IoT device risk assessment system 1108 implemented at
the local network 1102.
[0170] In a specific implementation, the packet analysis based IoT
device profiling system 1110 uses one or an applicable combination
of received event logs, access logs, and system logs to profile IoT
device into device profiles. The packet analysis based IoT device
risk assessment system 1112 can use device profiles managed by the
packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 1110 to assess
risk levels of IoT devices. The packet analysis based IoT device
profiling system 1110 can send generated device profiles back to
the third party cloud 1104, through traditional network channels,
e.g. using protocols of a network through which the data is being
transmitted without the use of VPN tunneling,. The packet analysis
based IoT device risk assessment system 1112 can send generated
risk assessment data back to the third party cloud 1104 through,
through traditional network channels, e.g. using protocols of a
network through which the data is being transmitted without the use
of VPN tunneling,. The third party cloud 1104 can use either or
both device profiles received from the packet analysis based IoT
device profiling system 1110 and risk assessment data received from
the packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 1112 to
manage IoT devices in the local network 1104.
[0171] FIG. 12 depicts a diagram 1200 of another example of a
system for assessing risk levels of IoT devices. The system shown
in the example of FIG. 12 includes a local network 1202 and a third
party cloud 1204. The local network 1202 includes an IoT device
risk assessment system 1206. The IoT device risk assessment system
1206 is intended to represent a system that functions according to
an applicable system for analyzing data packets for managing
assessment of risk levels of IoT devices, such as the IoT device
risk assessment systems described in this paper.
[0172] In a specific implementation, the IoT device risk assessment
system 1206 includes applicable systems for managing event logs,
access logs, and system logs of IoT devices through packet
analysis, such as the packet analysis based access log management
systems, the packet analysis based log management systems, and
packet analysis based event log management systems described in
this paper. In the system shown in the example of FIG. 12, the
applicable systems of the IoT device risk assessment system 1206
for managing event logs, access logs, and system logs of IoT
devices through packet analysis are implemented at the local
network 1202 as part of a local appliance. In being implemented as
part of a local appliance, the IoT device risk assessment system
1206 can analyze packets locally for purposes of maintaining access
logs, system logs, and event logs.
[0173] In the system shown in the example of FIG. 12, the third
party cloud 1204 includes a packet analysis based IoT device
profiling system 1208 and a packet analysis based IoT device risk
assessment system 1210. Depending upon implementation-specific or
other considerations, the third party cloud 1204 can include an
applicable system for determining IoT device vulnerabilities, such
as the packet based IoT device vulnerability determination systems
described in this paper. The third party cloud 1204 can be
associated with or used by a third party management system for
managing IoT devices. The packet analysis based IoT device
profiling system 1208 is intended to represent a system that
functions to profile IoT devices for purposes of assessing risk
levels of the IoT devices, such as the packet analysis based IoT
device management systems described in this paper. The packet
analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 1210 is intended
to represent a system that functions to apply assessment weights to
IoT device risk factors extracted from device profiles for purposes
of assessing risk levels of IoT devices, such as the packet
analysis based IoT device risk assessment systems described in this
paper. The packet analysis based IoT device profiling system 1208
can receive event logs, access logs, and/or system logs in
real-time as they are updated, through VPN tunnels or traditional
network channels from the IoT device risk assessment system 1206
implemented at the local network 1202. The packet analysis based
IoT device profiling system 1208 can use received event logs,
access logs, and/or system logs to profile IoT device into device
profiles.
[0174] FIG. 13 depicts a diagram 1300 of another example of a
system for assessing risk levels of IoT devices. The system shown
in the example of FIG. 13 includes a local network 1302 and a cloud
1304. The local network 1302 is intended to represent a network
that includes at least one IoT device coupled to a local appliance.
In the example of FIG. 13, the cloud 1304 is intended to represent
a third party cloud, e.g. a cloud of a third party IoT device
management entity. The local appliance can transmit data packets
from the IoT device through the cloud 1304.
[0175] In the example of FIG. 13, the cloud 1304 includes an IoT
device risk assessment system 1306, a packet analysis based IoT
device profiling system 1308, and a packet analysis based IoT
device risk assessment system 1310. The IoT device risk assessment
system 1306 is intended to represent a system that obtains packets
transmitted to and from IoT devices in the local network 1302
through the local appliance. The IoT device risk assessment system
1306 can use obtained packets to build historical records of IoT
devices by building event logs, system logs, and access logs
through packet analysis of the obtained packets. The packet
analysis based IoT device profiling system 1308 is intended to
represent a system that uses historical records of IoT devices to
profile the IoT devices into device profiles. The packet analysis
based IoT device risk assessment system 1310 is intended to
represent a system that uses device profiles of IoT devices to
assess risk levels of the IoT devices.
[0176] FIG. 14 depicts a flowchart 1400 of an example of a method
for generating device profiles of IoT devices through packet
inspection for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT devices. The
flowchart 1400 begins at module 1402, where data packets
transmitted to and from IoT devices are obtained. An applicable
engine for controlling the flow of data to and from IoT devices,
such as the data flow management engines described in this paper,
can obtain data packets transmitted to and from IoT devices. Data
packets can be obtained at a local appliance with respect to the
IoT devices. Alternatively, data packets can be obtained at a
location remote from IoT devices after they have been transmitted
to the remote location by a local appliance or before they are
transmitted through a local network to the IoT devices. Further
depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations,
data packets can be obtained based on a source, a destination, a
data packet type, and data within a data packet. For example, all
data packets from a particular source can be obtained. In various
implementations, data packets can be transmitted using VPN
tunnels.
[0177] The flowchart 1400 continues to module 1404, where the data
packets are analyzed to identify transaction data. An applicable
engine for analyzing the data packets, such as the packet inspector
engines described in this paper, can analyze the data packets to
identify transaction data. Data packets can be analyzed using deep
packet inspection. For example, deep packet inspection can be used
to identify transaction data from payloads of the data packets.
Additionally, specific data packets to perform deep packet
inspection on can be selected based on at least one of a source of
data packets, a destination of data packets, a data packet type of
data packets, and data within data packets. For example, all data
packets from a particular source can have deep packet inspection
performed on them.
[0178] The flowchart 1400 continues to module 1406, where
historical records of the IoT devices are created or updated. An
applicable engine for managing logs, such as one or a combination
of the event log, system log, and access log management engines
described in this paper, can create/update historical records for
the IoT devices using the transaction data. A historical record can
include one or a combination of access logs, system logs, and event
logs of the IoT devices.
[0179] The flowchart 1400 continues to module 1408, where device
profiles of the IoT devices are create or updated based on the
historical records. An applicable engine for profiling the IoT
devices, such as the IoT device profiling engines described in this
paper, can function to create/update device profiles of the IoT
devices based on the historical records. IoT devices can be
clustered before they are profiled into device profiles.
Additionally, determined vulnerabilities of IoT devices can be
included in device profiles of the IoT devices. In generating
device profiles of the IoT devices, regular IoT device behavior of
the IoT device can be determined from the historical records and
included as part of the device profiles.
[0180] The flowchart 1400 continues to module 1410, where risk
levels of the IoT devices are assessed based on the device
profiles. Risk levels of the IoT devices can be assessed by an
applicable engine for assessing risk levels of IoT devices, such as
the IoT device risk factor analysis engines described in this
paper. In assessing risk levels of the IoT device using the device
profiles, IoT device risk factors can be extracted from the device
profiles. Additionally, in assessing risk levels of the IoT
devices, assessment weights can be applied to extracted IoT device
risk factors to determine risk scores for the IoT devices. Risk
scores of the IoT devices can be used to assess risk levels to the
IoT devices based on the risk scores.
[0181] FIG. 15 depicts a flowchart 1500 of another example of a
method for generating device profiles of IoT devices through packet
inspection for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT devices. The
flowchart 1500 begins at module 1502, where data packets
transmitted to and from IoT devices are obtained. An applicable
engine for controlling the flow of data to and from IoT devices,
such as the data flow management engines described in this paper,
can obtain data packets transmitted to and from IoT devices. Data
packets can be obtained at a local appliance with respect to the
IoT devices. Additionally, data packets can be obtained at a
location remote from IoT devices after they have been transmitted
to the remote location by a local appliance or before they are
transmitted through a local network to the IoT devices. Data
packets can be obtained based on a source, a destination, a data
packet type, and data within a data packet. For example, all data
packets from a particular source can be obtained. In various
implementations, data packets can be transmitted using VPN
tunnels.
[0182] The flowchart 1500 continues to module 1504, where the data
packets are analyzed to identify transaction data. An applicable
engine for analyzing data packets, such as the packet inspector
engines described in this paper, can analyzed the data packets to
identify transaction data. Data packets can be analyzed using deep
packet inspection. For example, deep packet inspection can be used
to identify transaction data from payloads of the data packets.
Additionally, specific data packets to perform deep packet
inspection on can be selected based on at least one of a source of
data packets, a destination of data packets, a data packet type of
data packets, and data within data packets. For example, all data
packets from a particular source can have deep packet inspection
performed on them.
[0183] The flowchart 1500 continues to module 1506, where event
logs of the IoT devices are created or updated. An applicable
engine for managing event logs, such as the event log management
engines described in this paper, can create/update event logs for
the IoT devices using the transaction data. An event log can be
updated in real-time using the transaction data as it is identified
in real-time as the IoT devices operate.
[0184] The flowchart 1500 continues to module 1508, where device
profiles of the IoT devices are created or updated based on the
event logs. An applicable engine for profiling the IoT devices,
such as the IoT device profiling engines described in this paper,
can function to create/update device profiles of the IoT devices
based on the event logs. In profiling the IoT devices, the IoT
devices can be clustered before they are profiled into device
profiles. Additionally, in profiling the IoT devices, determined
vulnerabilities of IoT devices can be included in device profiles
of the IoT devices. In generating device profiles of the IoT
devices, regular IoT device behavior of the IoT device can be
determined from the event logs and included as part of the device
profiles.
[0185] The flowchart 1500 continues to module 1510, where risk
levels of the IoT devices are assessed based on the device
profiles. Risk levels of the IoT devices can be assessed by an
applicable engine for assessing risk levels of IoT devices, such as
the IoT device risk factor analysis engines described in this
paper. In assessing risk levels of the IoT device using the device
profiles, IoT device risk factors can be extracted from the device
profiles. Additionally, in assessing risk levels of the IoT
devices, assessment weights can be applied to extracted IoT device
risk factors to determine risk scores for the IoT devices. Risk
scores of the IoT devices can be used to assess risk levels to the
IoT devices based on the risk scores.
[0186] FIG. 16 depicts a flowchart 1600 of another example of a
method for generating device profiles of IoT devices through packet
inspection for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT devices. The
flowchart 1600 begins at module 1602, where data packets
transmitted to and from IoT devices are obtained. An applicable
engine for controlling the flow of data to and from IoT devices,
such as the data flow management engines described in this paper,
can obtain data packets transmitted to and from IoT devices. Data
packets can be obtained at a local appliance with respect to the
IoT devices. Additionally, data packets can be obtained at a
location remote from IoT devices after they have been transmitted
to the remote location by a local appliance or before they are
transmitted through a local network to the IoT devices. Data
packets can be obtained based on a source, a destination, a data
packet type, and data within a data packet. For example, all data
packets from a particular source can be obtained. In various
implementations, data packets can be transmitted using VPN
tunnels.
[0187] The flowchart 1600 continues to module 1604, where the data
packets are analyzed to identify transaction data. An applicable
engine for analyzing data packets, such as the packet inspector
engines described in this paper, can analyze the data packets to
identify transaction data. Data packets can be analyzed using deep
packet inspection. For example, deep packet inspection can be used
to identify transaction data from payloads of the data packets.
Specific data packets to perform deep packet inspection on can be
selected based on at least one of a source of data packets, a
destination of data packets, a data packet type of data packets,
and data within data packets. For example, all data packets from a
particular source can have deep packet inspection performed on
them.
[0188] The flowchart 1600 continues to module 1606, where system
logs of the IoT devices are created or updated. An applicable
engine for managing system logs, such as the system log management
engines described in this paper, can create or update system logs
for the IoT devices using the transaction data. A system log can be
updated in real-time using the transaction data as it is identified
in real-time as the IoT devices operate.
[0189] The flowchart 1600 continues to module 1608, where device
profiles of the IoT devices are created or updated based on the
system logs. An applicable engine for profiling the IoT devices,
such as the IoT device profiling engines described in this paper,
can function to create/update device profiles of the IoT devices
based on the system logs. In profiling the IoT devices, the IoT
devices can be clustered before they are profiled into device
profiles. Additionally, in profiling the
[0190] IoT devices, determined vulnerabilities of IoT devices can
be included in device profiles of the IoT devices. In generating
device profiles of the IoT devices, regular IoT device behavior of
the IoT device can be determined from the system logs and included
as part of the device profiles.
[0191] The flowchart 1600 continues to module 1610, where risk
levels of the IoT devices are assessed based on the device
profiles. Risk levels of the IoT devices can be assessed by an
applicable engine for assessing risk levels of IoT devices, such as
the IoT device risk factor analysis engines described in this
paper. In assessing risk levels of the IoT device using the device
profiles, IoT device risk factors can be extracted from the device
profiles. Additionally, in assessing risk levels of the IoT
devices, assessment weights can be applied to extracted IoT device
risk factors to determine risk scores for the IoT devices. Risk
scores of the IoT devices can be used to assess risk levels to the
IoT devices based on the risk scores.
[0192] FIG. 17 depicts a flowchart 1700 of another example of a
method for generating device profiles of IoT devices through packet
inspection for use in assessing risk levels of the IoT devices. The
flowchart 1700 begins at module 1702, where data packets
transmitted to and from IoT devices are obtained. An applicable
engine for controlling the flow of data to and from IoT devices,
such as the data flow management engines described in this paper,
can obtain data packets transmitted to and from IoT devices. Data
packets can be obtained at a local appliance with respect to the
IoT devices. Additionally, data packets can be obtained at a
location remote from IoT devices after they have been transmitted
to the remote location by a local appliance or before they are
transmitted through a local network to the IoT devices. Data
packets can be obtained based on a source, a destination, a data
packet type, and data within a data packet. For example, all data
packets from a particular source can be obtained. In various
implementations, data packets can be transmitted using VPN
tunnels.
[0193] The flowchart 1700 continues to module 1704, where the data
packets are analyzed to identify transaction data. An applicable
engine for analyzing data packets, such as the packet inspector
engines described in this paper, can analyze the data packets to
identify transaction data. Data packets can be analyzed using deep
packet inspection. For example, deep packet inspection can be used
to identify transaction data from payloads of the data packets.
Additionally, specific data packets to perform deep packet
inspection on can be selected based on at least one of a source of
data packets, a destination of data packets, a data packet type of
data packets, and data within data packets. For example, all data
packets from a particular source can have deep packet inspection
performed on them.
[0194] The flowchart 1700 continues to module 1706, where access
logs of the IoT devices are created or updated. An applicable
engine for managing access logs, such as the access log management
engines described in this paper, can create/update access logs for
the IoT devices using the transaction data. An access log can be
updated in real-time using the transaction data as it is identified
in real-time as the IoT devices operate.
[0195] The flowchart 1700 continues to module 1708, where device
profiles of the IoT devices are created or updated based on the
access logs. An applicable engine for profiling the IoT devices,
such as the IoT device profiling engines described in this paper,
can function to create/update device profiles of the IoT devices
based on the access logs. In profiling the IoT devices, the IoT
devices can be clustered before they are profiled into device
profiles. Additionally, in profiling the IoT devices, determined
vulnerabilities of IoT devices can be included in device profiles
of the IoT devices. In generating device profiles of the IoT
devices, regular IoT device behavior of the IoT device can be
determined from the system logs and included as part of the device
profiles.
[0196] The flowchart 1700 continues to module 1710, where risk
levels of the IoT devices are assessed based on the device
profiles. Risk levels of the IoT devices can be assessed by an
applicable engine for assessing risk levels of IoT devices, such as
the IoT device risk factor analysis engines described in this
paper. In assessing risk levels of the IoT device using the device
profiles, IoT device risk factors can be extracted from the device
profiles. Additionally, in assessing risk levels of the IoT
devices, assessment weights can be applied to extracted IoT device
risk factors to determine risk scores for the IoT devices. Risk
scores of the IoT devices can be used to assess risk levels to the
IoT devices based on the risk scores.
[0197] FIG. 18 depicts a flowchart 1800 of an example of a method
for generating device profiles of IoT devices by determining
vulnerabilities of IoT devices for use in assessing risk levels of
IoT devices. The flowchart 1800 begins at module 1802, where a
historical record of an IoT device is created or updated. A
historical record of an IoT device can be created from one or an
applicable combination of an event log, a system log, and an access
log of the IoT device. An event log, a system log, and an access
log can be created using packet analysis of data packets
transmitted to and from an IoT device. An event log, a system log,
and an access log can be created from transaction data identified
from deep packet inspection of data packets transmitted to and from
an IoT device.
[0198] The flowchart 1800 continues to module 1804, where the IoT
device is probed by sending data packets to the IoT device. An
applicable engine for probing an IoT device, such as the IoT device
probing engines described in this paper, can prove the IoT device
by sending data packets to the IoT device. The IoT device can be
probed by sending data packets to the IoT device to simulate an
attack on the IoT device. Additionally, the IoT device can be
probed by sending data packets to the IoT device to force the IoT
device to respond.
[0199] The flowchart 1800 continues to module 1806, where
vulnerability of the IoT device is determined based on the response
by the IoT device to the probe. An applicable engine for
determining IoT device vulnerability, such as the vulnerability
determination engines described in this paper, can determine a
vulnerability of the IoT device based on the response by the IoT
device to the probe. Vulnerability of the IoT device can be
determined based on an analysis of data packets transmitted from
the IoT device in response to the probe. Additionally,
vulnerability of the IoT device can be determined based on an
analysis of how the IoT device actually responds, e.g. whether it
does not respond, to the probe.'
[0200] The flowchart 1800 continues to module 1808, where
optionally a vulnerability of the IoT device is determined based on
the historical record of the IoT device. An applicable engine for
determining IoT device vulnerability, such as the vulnerability
determination engines described in this paper, can determine a
vulnerability of the IoT device based on the historical record of
the IoT device. For example, a historical record can be checked to
see if the IoT device is the subject of a random scan by a user and
subsequently determined vulnerability of the IoT device.
[0201] The flowchart 1800 continues to module 1810, where a device
profile of the IoT device is created or updated to indicate the
vulnerability of the IoT device for use in assessing a risk level
of the IoT device. An applicable engine for profiling IoT devices,
such as the IoT device profiling engines described in this paper,
can create/update a device profile of the IoT device to indicate
the determined vulnerability of the IoT device. For example, IoT
device risk factors related to the IoT device can be extracted from
a device profile of the IoT device based on the determined
vulnerability and used in assessing a risk level of the IoT
device.
[0202] FIG. 19 depicts a diagram 1900 of an example of a system for
providing IoT device risk assessment through a mirror point. The
system shown in the example of FIG. 19 includes a mirror port 1902,
an IoT device 1904, a source/destination 1906, and a packet
analysis based IoT device risk assessment system 1908. The mirror
port 1902 is intended to represent a device that functions to
perform port mirroring on another port. The mirror port 1902 can be
used to obtain data packets transmitted to and from IoT devices
without disrupting the flow of the data packets. The mirror port
1902 can be implemented as part of switches or other applicable
networking devices. Additionally, the mirror port 1902 can be
implemented on network devices in a LAN of IoT devices, or on
network devices in a WAN of IoT devices. For example, the mirror
port 1902 can be implemented as part of a local router in an
enterprise network of IoT devices. Further in the example, in being
implemented as part of the local router in an enterprise network,
the mirror port 1902 can be used to obtain data packets transmitted
between IoT devices in the enterprise network, e.g. intranetwork
traffic.
[0203] In the example of FIG. 19, the IoT device 1904 is intended
to represent a device that includes wired or wireless interfaces
through which the IoT device 1904 can send and receive data over
wired and wireless connections. The IoT device 1904 can include
unique identifiers which can be used in the transmission of data
through a network. Unique identifiers of the IoT device 1904 can
include identifiers created in accordance with Internet Protocol
version 4 (hereinafter referred to as "IPv4"), or identifiers
created in accordance with Internet Protocol version 6 (hereinafter
referred to as "IPv6"), of which both protocol versions are hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0204] In the example of FIG. 19, the source/destination 1906 is
intended to represent a system accessible by IoT devices through,
e.g., a WAN. For example, the source/destination 1906 can be a
system that an IoT device communicates with over the Internet.
Alternatively, the source/destination 1906 can be a system or
device within a LAN of an IoT device. For example, the
source/destination 1906 can be another IoT device in a LAN over
which an IoT device communicates.
[0205] In the example of FIG. 19, the IoT device risk assessment
system 1908 is intended to represent a system that functions to
assess IoT device risks through packet analysis, such as the IoT
device risk assessment systems described in this paper. The IoT
device risk assessment system 1908 functions to assess risks of IoT
devices using packet analysis of data packets transmitted to and
from the IoT devices. The IoT device risk assessment system 1908
can obtain data packets through a mirror port, without interrupting
the flow of the data packets between sources and destinations.
[0206] In an example of operation of the example system shown in
FIG. 19, the IoT device 1904 sends and receives data packets that
the mirror port 1902 mirrors for purposes of assess a risk level of
the IoT device 1904. In the example of operation of the example
system shown in FIG. 19, the source/destination 1906 transmits and
receives data in response to data received from the IoT device
1904. In the example of operation of the example system shown in
FIG. 19 the packet analysis based IoT device risk assessment system
1908 obtains data packets through the mirror port 1902 for use in
assessing a risk level of the IoT device 1904 using packet
analysis.
[0207] FIG. 20 depicts a flowchart 2000 of an example of a method
of assessing risk levels of IoT devices. The flowchart 2000 begins
at module 2002, where an IoT device is profiled into an IoT device
profile. An applicable engine for profiling an IoT device into an
IoT device profile, such as the IoT device profiling engines
described in this paper, can profile an IoT device into an IoT
device profile. An IoT device can be profiled based on analysis of
data traffic to and from an IoT device as the IoT device accesses
network services through a network. In profiling an IoT device
based on analysis of data traffic to and from an IoT device, an IoT
device can be profiled through passive monitoring by analyzing data
packets sent to and from the IoT device. For example, the IoT
device can be profiled based on one or a combination of event logs,
system logs, and access logs maintained based on an analysis of
data packets transmitted to and from the IoT device. Additionally,
in profiling an IoT device based on analysis of data traffic to and
from the IoT device, the IoT device can be actively probed to
determine vulnerability of the IoT device. Determined
vulnerabilities of an IoT device can be included as part of a
device profile of the IoT device.
[0208] The flowchart 2000 continues to module 2004, where IoT
device risk factors are extracted from the IoT device profile. An
applicable engine for analyzing IoT device risk factors, such as
the IoT device risk factor analysis engines described in this
paper, can extract IoT device risk factors from the IoT device
profile. IoT device risk factors extracted from the IoT device
profile can include one or an applicable combination of risk
factors related to applications used by the IoT device in accessing
the network services through the network, protocols used by the IoT
device in accessing the network services through the network,
network activeness of the IoT device in accessing the network
services through the network, network communication characteristics
of the IoT device in accessing the network services through the
network, security characteristics of data traffic associated with
the IoT device in accessing the network services through the
network, and operational performance deviations of the IoT device
in accessing the network services through the network.
[0209] The flowchart 2000 continues to module 2006, where
assessment weights to apply to the IoT device risk factors are
selected. An applicable engine for managing assessment weights to
apply in assessing risk levels of IoT devices, such as the
assessment weight variance management engines described in this
paper, can select assessment weights to apply to the IoT device
risk factors extracted from the IoT device profile. Assessment
weights can be selected for specific IoT device risk factors.
Additionally, assessment weights can be selected on one or an
applicable combination of a per-device basis, a per-device type
basis, a per-network basis, or other applicable per-IoT device
characteristic basis. Assessment weights can be selected based on
one or an applicable combination of characteristics of a network
through which the IoT device is accessing network services, input
of a user associated with the IoT device, and characteristics of
the user associated with the IoT device.
[0210] The flowchart 2000 continues to module 2008, where a risk
score of the IoT device is determined by applying the assessment
weights to the IoT device risk factors. An applicable engine for
analyzing IoT device risk factors, such as the IoT device risk
factor analysis engines described in this paper, can determine a
risk score of the IoT device by applying the assessment weights to
the extracted IoT device risk factors. For example, if assessment
weights for IoT device risk factors related to operational
performance deviations of IoT devices are 20%, then an assessment
weight of 20% can be applied to extracted IoT device factors
related to operational performance deviations of the IoT device in
determining a risk score for the IoT device.
[0211] The flowchart 2000 continues to module 2010, where a risk
level of the IoT device is assessed based on the risk score. An
applicable engine for analyzing IoT device risk factors, such as
the IoT device risk factor analysis engines described in this
paper, can assess a risk level of the IoT device based on the risk
score. A risk level of the IoT device can be assessed based on
where the risk score falls within a range of risk scores. For
example, if the risk score is above a threshold risk score for a
high risk level, then the IoT device can be assess a risk level of
high risk.
[0212] FIG. 21 depicts a screenshot 2100 of a presentation of risk
assessment data to a user. In the screenshot 2100, IoT devices
assessed high risk levels are shown, along with identifiers of the
IoT devices, and a number of applications executing at the IoT
devices.
[0213] FIG. 22 depicts a screenshot 2200 of another presentation of
risk assessment data to a user. In the screenshot 2200, risk levels
of IoT devices along with types of communicating and amount of data
actually communicated are shown.
[0214] FIG. 23 depicts a screenshot 2300 of another presentation of
risk assessment data to a use. In the screenshot 2300, the number
of IoT devices assessed at different risk levels are displayed to a
user.
[0215] FIG. 24 depicts a screenshot of a device map. In the
screenshot 2400, the device map includes hosts and devices an IoT
device communicates with in accessing network services.
[0216] These and other examples provided in this paper are intended
to illustrate but not necessarily to limit the described
implementation. As used herein, the term "implementation" means an
implementation that serves to illustrate by way of example but not
limitation. The techniques described in the preceding text and
figures can be mixed and matched as circumstances demand to produce
alternative implementations.
* * * * *